Retinol vs Bakuchiol: What’s the Difference and Which Is Best for Midlife Skin? 

Author: Curated Beauty Founders

If your skincare suddenly feels less effective than it did a few years ago, you’re not imagining it. As we move into midlife, our skin’s natural renewal cycle slows down. What once took around 28 days in our 20s can stretch to 45–60 days, leaving skin looking dull, uneven, and less firm.

 

That’s where ingredients like retinol and bakuchiol come in. Both support skin renewal, but they work in very different ways. Understanding the difference helps you choose what’s right for your skin, rather than following trends.

Why Skin Renewal Matters More in Midlife

Skin renewal is the process of shedding old cells and generating new ones. As this slows, dead cells linger on the surface, collagen production drops, and pigmentation becomes more noticeable. 

 

Think of it like this: your skin still knows what to do, it just needs a bit of encouragement. Retinoids act like a personal trainer for skin cells, helping keep things moving efficiently.

 

What Is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of vitamin A and one of the most researched skincare ingredients available. It works by accelerating cell turnover, boosting collagen production, smoothing fine lines, and helping fade pigmentation.

 

Collagen naturally declines by around 1% each year from our mid-20s. By midlife, we may have lost up to 50% of the supportive collagen and elastin that keep skin firm and resilient. Retinoids help stimulate new collagen, improving firmness and texture over time.

 

Traditional retinol can be highly effective, but it can also be irritating if used incorrectly or at too high a strength.

 

What Is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient often described as a natural alternative to retinol. It doesn’t convert to vitamin A in the skin, but it supports similar outcomes, refining texture and evening skin tone in a gentler, more gradual way.

 

If retinol is the powerhouse, bakuchiol is the calm, steady companion. It’s particularly appealing for sensitive skin or for those who prefer plant-based actives.

why hpr? 

Which Is Better for Firmness and Pigmentation?

If your main concerns are fine lines, loss of firmness, or uneven pigmentation, retinoids will generally deliver faster, more visible results. Next-generation retinoids such as HPR (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate) offer many of the benefits of prescription retinoic acid, with far less irritation.

 

HPR binds directly to retinoic acid receptors in the skin, which means it works efficiently without the same level of redness or peeling often associated with traditional retinol.

 

Bakuchiol still has a place, especially for reactive skin, but results tend to be slower and more subtle.

 

Are There Side Effects to Be Aware Of?

Traditional retinol can cause dryness, redness or mild flaking, usually when introduced too quickly or layered with other strong actives.

 

HPR is far better tolerated, making it ideal for midlife skin that needs results without disruption.

Bakuchiol is generally well tolerated by most skin types and is a good option for beginners or those with very sensitive skin.

 

How to Introduce Retinoids Into Your Routine

The key is going slowly and keeping your routine simple. Start by applying your retinoid at night, every other evening, followed by a nourishing moisturiser. A 2% HPR serum is an excellent entry point for most midlife complexions. Once skin feels comfortable, you can increase frequency or strength if needed.

 

Avoid stacking strong acids or multiple actives in the evening. Skin doesn’t work faster when overloaded, it just becomes stressed.  In the morning, focus on antioxidants and always use SPF50 (we obviously recommend our FLAWLESS DEFENCE). Newly renewed skin needs daily protection.

 

What to Look for in a Retinol or Bakuchiol Product

Smart formulation matters just as much as the active ingredient itself. Look for retinoids paired with barrier-supporting hydrators such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, or soothing ingredients like bisabol. These help balance effectiveness with comfort.

 

Transparency also matters. Choose brands that clearly state the type and percentage of retinoid used and avoid heavily fragranced formulas that can increase irritation.

Curated Beauty Master Switch HPR 5%

A Curated Approach to Retinoids

At Curated Beauty, we didn’t want to choose between performance and comfort, so we designed our retinoid serums to deliver both.

 

We include HPR (Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate) because it’s one of the most effective next-generation retinoids available. It works directly with the skin’s retinoic acid receptors, which means it supports collagen production, smoother texture, and more even tone, without the irritation often associated with traditional retinol.

 

We pair it with bakuchiol for a very deliberate reason. Bakuchiol helps reinforce the results of retinoids while also calming the skin and supporting the barrier. It has been shown to enhance skin renewal and improve texture, but in a gentler, more stabilising way. When used alongside HPR, it helps make the formula more tolerable for midlife skin, which can be more reactive, drier, or hormonally sensitive. In simple terms, HPR does the heavy lifting, while bakuchiol keeps the skin comfortable and resilient. Together, they allow us to deliver visible results with fewer side effects, making consistency easier and long-term skin health the priority.

 

That’s why NEW BEGNNING and MASTER SWITCH don’t rely on a single hero ingredient. They’re built as balanced systems, combining targeted renewal with hydration, barrier support, and skin-soothing actives, so your skin gets what it needs, without being pushed too far.

The Takeaway

Using retinoids is a long game. You wouldn’t walk into the gym and lift the heaviest weights on day one, and skincare works the same way.

 

Some people notice smoother skin quite quickly, but visible improvements typically take 8–10 weeks. Consistency always beats intensity. Keep it simple, stay patient, and your skin will thank you.

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FOUNDERS

Women in Business

At Curated Beauty, we didn’t launch on a whim or with a ready-made cheque from investors. We came to this with decades of experience, hard work, lessons learned across beauty and retail, and our own money on the line.  We started the way many women do, with determination, experience, and our own savings.

As three female founders over fifty, we’ve seen what works, what fails, and what truly matters in beauty. We know the difference between a passing fad and a product that delivers real results. We also know how easy it is to get distracted by quick wins instead of focusing on what lasts. That’s why we chose independence. By funding ourselves, we kept control, took our time, and created products we genuinely believe in.