Is Bakuchiol safe during pregnancy?
Plant-based ingredient marketed as a 'pregnancy-safe retinol alternative,' but it has not been studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
PregnancyAsk your clinician
BreastfeedingAsk your clinician
EvidenceLimited
What the sources say
Bakuchiol comes from Psoralea corylifolia and is not structurally a retinoid, which is why brands promote it during pregnancy. A 2024 systematic review found its clinical trials small and low quality, and none studied pregnancy or breastfeeding. Without data, ask your clinician. Better-studied pregnancy options include azelaic acid, glycolic acid and niacinamide.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
babchi, psoralea corylifolia seed extract, up256
Sources
- NIH PubMed (peer-reviewed review): Human Clinical Trials Using Topical Bakuchiol Formulations for the Treatment of Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review (J Drugs Dermatol, 2024)
- ACOG: Skin Conditions During Pregnancy
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.