Your first retinol alternative: bakuchiol

Retinol works, but it also comes with a break-in period of flaking and sensitivity that puts a lot of people off. Bakuchiol is a plant-derived alternative that delivers much of the same smoothing, firming benefit with far less drama — and no added sun sensitivity.

How to start

Use it at night, a few drops of oil as the last step or just before your moisturiser. Two or three nights a week to begin, building up as your skin agrees. Because it's gentle you can pair it with a barrier cream from the start — which is exactly how you avoid the peeling you were trying to skip.