COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum Review

COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
0.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
10.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Review

Does COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum has to offer:
 
✅ Strong occlusive moisturizing. This exceptionally occlusive moisturizer, ideal for dry and very dry skin, has a moderate moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10, impaired by the absence of humectants.
✅ Antioxidant protection

  

Key Benefits of COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum:
 

🔵🔵🔵 Exceptionally Rich Moisturizer with the Right Occlusivity for Very Dry Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely occlusive. It has zero Humectancy (we didn't find any humectant ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum Occlusivity of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (est. ≈45.0%), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil (est. ≈11.0%) and Squalane (est. ≈6.0%).

This type of product, when used as a standalone moisturizer, can deliver an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin. The occlusive profile of COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum suggests a rich, thick texture, making it perfectly suited for dry skin.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

🍀 Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Bakuchiol (est. ≈4.0%) and Tocopheryl Acetate (est. ≈3.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ Best for Very Dry Skin - May Be Too Thick for Other Skin Types

With exceptional occlusivity, this product is optimal for moisturizing dry and very dry skin but may be too thick for other skin types, including normal, and especially combination and oily skin.

If you have oily, combination, or normal skin and are considering purchasing this product for the first time, it might be a good idea to try a sample before buying.

⚠️ Needs to Be Paired with Extra Humectants for Optimal Moisturizing Efficacy

An ideal moisturizer for any skin type should balance the right level of occlusivity (depending on skin type) with a significant amount of humectants, while COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum contains no humectants at all.

People with dry skin would definitely benefit from adding water-binding humectants to their moisturizing routine for effective dual-action moisturizing. If this is your only moisturizer, it may be worth including a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, in your skincare routine.

⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy

If one of your main reasons for choosing COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, it currently has a zero anti-wrinkle rating.

It contains Bakuchiol and Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, two ingredients often marketed as effective in reducing wrinkles. However, the studies supporting the anti-wrinkle claims of these ingredients provide insufficient evidence of efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.

While this does not categorically rule out the possibility that these ingredients may reduce wrinkles, their efficacy is not supported by convincing, vehicle-controlled, double-blind clinical studies - at least none that were available to the CreamScan team at the time of publication.

Therefore, these ingredients do not generate the anti-wrinkle rating.

📌 Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Pros & Cons of COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

Exceptionally rich moisturizer with the right level of occlusivity to moisturize dry to very dry skin
✅ Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ May feel too rich and thick on skin types other than dry
⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - needs to be paired with extra humectants for optimal moisturizing efficacy
⚠️ Questionable anti-wrinkle efficacy
   

Summary: COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum
, as a moisturizer, provides an exceptional level of occlusive hydration that is adequate for dry to very skin, delivered in a rich, thick texture.
 
With its high antioxidant content, COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum helps protect against free radical damage and offers multiple benefits for all skin types, including preventing premature aging, defending against environmental damage, and calming inflammation.
 
That said, there are some things about COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum worth noting.
 
With its high occlusivity, COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum is ideal for dry skin but may feel too thick on other skin types. If you have oily, combination, or normal skin, it’s a good idea to try a sample before purchasing.
 
If you use this product as your only moisturizer in a routine, please note that it doesn’t contain any humectants. Regardless of your skin type, humectants are vital for optimal moisturizing efficacy. Therefore, pairing COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum with a humectant-rich product, such as a serum, can be highly beneficial for your skincare routine.
 
If one of your main reasons for considering COSMEDIX Bakuchiol Complete Plant-based Retinol Alternative Serum is its potential anti-aging effects, please note that, according to CreamScan analysis, its anti-wrinkle efficacy is questionable. None of the ingredients in this product provide substantial evidence of their anti-wrinkle efficacy according to CreamScan Research Evaluation Standards.
 
❗️ Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible.

 

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
45
22
11
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Function:
Origin:
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Squalane
Function:
Origin:
Bakuchiol
Function:
Origin:
Tocopheryl Acetate
Function:
Origin:
Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Function:
Origin:
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Function:
Origin:
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Function:
Origin:
Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Function:
Origin:
Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
62.3
45.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
None
Occlusivity All occlusives 62.3 20
10.0
45.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
None
All humectants 0.0 10
0.0
All humectants
0.0
None
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
45
11
6
0.3
All occlusives 62.3 20
10.0
All occlusives
62.3
45.0
11.0
6.0
0.3
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
n/a
- 4 -
n/a
- 1.5 -
Total
0
Bakuchiol
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
4
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
-
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
n/a
when present at, %
-
in this formula, est. %
1.5
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
4
3
1.5
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 11.9 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
11.9
Bakuchiol
4
Tocopheryl Acetate
3
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
1.5
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
1
Corallina Officinalis Extract
0.3
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
0.3
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
0.3
Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract
0.3
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
0.3
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
0.3
Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract
0.3
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All soothing 4.7 5 No
All soothing
4.7
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Est. %45
Function
Origin
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed OilA fatty oil expressed from sunflower seeds and one of the most commonly used oils in skincare. It has great emollient and occlusive moisturizing properties. Sunflower oil is one of the richest sources of vitamin E – an important skin antioxidant.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Est. %22
Function
Origin
Coco-Caprylate/CaprateA naturally-derived emollient ester. It is a blend of caprylates and caprates and, relative to other emollients, is lightweight and dry on the skin. As a result, coco-caprylate/caprate serves as a natural alternative to volatile silicones.
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
Est. %11
Function
Origin
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed OilA liquid plant wax, also known as Jojoba oil, pressed from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis. These seeds can contain up to 50% of liquid wax. It is used as an occlusive moisturizer, emollient, and emulsifier.
Squalane
Est. %6
Function
Origin
SqualaneAn occlusive moisturizing and emollient compound that forms part of the skin’s sebum. The main source of squalane had always been shark liver. Now, however, it is manufactured synthetically or derived from plant oils, such as olive and peanut oil.
Bakuchiol
Est. %4
Function
Origin
BakuchiolA newly discovered bioactive obtained from the seeds of Babchi. It boosts collagen production like retinol, but with fewer side effects. Its effects include reduced wrinkles and faded pigmentation.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Tocopheryl Acetate

An antioxidant derivative of tocopherol (vitamin E). It helps to protect cells from free radicals and UV damage through the conversion to active vitamin E in the skin. It is more stable than tocopherol.

Eclipta Prostrata Extract
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Eclipta Prostrata ExtractA soothing extract of false daisy that contains a variety of active anti-inflammatory phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenes, phytosterols, and special compounds called thiopenes.
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Melia Azadirachta Leaf ExtractAn antimicrobial and antioxidant extract derived from Neem leaves – an Indian traditional medicine. Neem leaves have been found to possess antibacterial and antifungal activity. It is also a prospective anti-wrinkle ingredient.
Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Melia Azadirachta Flower ExtractAn antioxidant extract derived from the flowers of the Indian lilac, also known as Neem. It is often used in traditional medicine in India. The Neem flower extracts contain limonoids, which are currently under research for their anti-pigment activity.
Corallina Officinalis Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Corallina Officinalis ExtractAn extract from red marine alga, Corallina officinalis is used in skincare for its antioxidant properties. It also contains an immense amount of calcium and special, sulfur-containing polysaccharides.
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Coccinia Indica Fruit ExtractAn extract derived from the cucumber-like fruits of ivy gourd. It contains a large amount of soothing mucilage as well as some antioxidant carotenoids. It has also been shown that the extract may have some anti-allergy properties.
Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Moringa Oleifera Seed OilAn oil obtained from the seeds of Moringa oleifera, a fast-growing bush native to Northern India and the sub-Himalayan regions. It contains mainly oleic acid, as well as many additional anti-inflammatory compounds and high levels of vitamin E.
Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Solanum Melongena (Eggplant) Fruit ExtractAn under-researched extract obtained from the eggplant fruit. Eggplant contains plant pigments called anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, such as chlorogenic acid, which are excellent antioxidants.
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Flower ExtractAn extract obtained the flowers of Aloe vera – which are a rich source of antioxidant flavonoids (mainly apigenin). It also contains a bit of the emollient mucilage.
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root ExtractAn extract derived from the thick roots of curcuma (turmeric), a famous yellow spice and a major ingredient in curry powder. It is used in skincare for its proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ocimum Basilicum (Basil) Flower/Leaf ExtractA fragrant extract derived from the flowering basil plant that contains essential oil and antioxidants such as terpenes, flavonoids, and vitamin K.
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf ExtractAn extract derived from the leaves of Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, a traditional herb used in Ayurveda medicine. It contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory rosmarinic acid, galic acid, flavonoids, and a sweet-scented essential oil.