
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Face Serum with 5 ingredients
FEATURES
Anti-aging duo with Retinol and Bakuchiol, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin elasticity, soothes and calms skin, smooths skin texture, diminishes pores, evens skin tone, hydrated and nourished with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E, suitable for all skin types
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No irritation, gentle for sensitive skin
Who Is It For?
All Genders No Explicit Age Range MentionedWhat Does It Help With?
Fine Lines Wrinkles Skin Elasticity Rough Skin Uneven Skin Tone Hydration PigmentationBudget
Affordable (under $30)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Wild Oak Says
Product Description:
Innovative Anti-Aging Duo: Combines the power of Retinol (0.5%) and Bakuchiol to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and improve skin elasticity without the irritation often associated with traditional retinoids. Dual-Action Formula: Retinol promotes cellular turnover and collagen production, while Bakuchiol, a natural alternative to retinol, helps soothe and calm the skin, enhancing the serum overall efficacy. Improves Skin Texture: Smooths rough skin, diminishes the appearance of pores, and evens out skin tone for a youthful, radiant glow. Hydrating & Nourishing: Enriched with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E to deeply hydrate, replenish, and protect the skin from environmental stressors. Suitable for All Skin Types: Gentle enough for sensitive skin while delivering powerful anti-aging benefits, making it ideal for all skin types including dry, oily, and combination.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
05%-olive-squalane,01%-retinol,01%-bakuchiol,01%-ceramide-complex
Key Ingredients
Retinol, Bakuchiol, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E
Ingredients Details
Bakuchiol
Common Name(s): Bakuchiol,(s)-bakuchiol
CAS Number: 10309-37-2
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides retinol-equivalent anti-aging gene expression from a natural plant compound without retinol's limitations.
Why It's Used: The natural retinol alternative โ the first plant compound with rct evidence for equivalent anti-aging results to retinol with better safety and photostability.
How It Works: Bakuchiol activates rar beta and retinoid x receptors via allosteric binding mechanism. upregulates type i, iii, and iv collagen synthesis genes. downregulates mmp-1 and mmp-9. antioxidant via phenol radical scavenging. photostable โ stable to uv exposure unlike retinol.
Typically Found In: Natural anti-aging serums,pregnancy-safe retinol alternative,photostable anti-aging
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ natural retinol alternative
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ2%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from psoralea corylifolia seeds
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
The dhaliwal et al. (2019, british journal of dermatology) split-face rct directly compared 0.5% bakuchiol vs 0.5% retinol twice daily for 12 weeks โ both groups showed equivalent reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, but bakuchiol showed significantly less scaling, stinging, and burning. this is the strongest evidence that bakuchiol provides retinol-equivalent anti-aging with better tolerability.
Last Verified: Cosing database,dhaliwal et al. bakuchiol vs retinol rct
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Retinol
Common Name(s): Vitamin a,all-trans retinol,(all-e)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol
CAS Number: 68-26-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Retinol accelerates skin cell turnover, stimulates collagen production, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, fades hyperpigmentation, and helps normalize pore size.
Why It's Used: It is the most evidence-backed anti-aging ingredient available without a prescription. it provides comprehensive skin renewal benefits that no other single cosmetic ingredient can match.
How It Works: Retinol is converted in the skin to retinoic acid, which binds to retinoid receptors in cell nuclei. this activates gene expression changes that accelerate cell turnover, boost collagen synthesis, and inhibit matrix metalloproteinases (collagen-degrading enzymes).
Typically Found In: Night creams,serums,eye creams,targeted treatment products,anti-aging formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin a derivative
Secondary Functions: Exfoliating,anti-acne,brightening
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.025%โ1% (otc); start at low concentrations and build up slowly
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional โ can be animal-derived (fish liver, egg yolk) or synthetic; verify source
Halal Status: Conditional โ verify source; synthetic retinol is halal
Source Notes: Cosmetic retinol is predominantly synthetically manufactured. some natural sources include fish liver oils. synthetic is preferred for purity and sustainability.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 3/5 โ moderate; can cause dryness, peeling, redness, especially during adjustment period (retinization)
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic; actually helps clear pores
Sensitivity Concerns: Retinization period: 2โ6 weeks of potential dryness, flaking, and sensitivity. photosensitizing โ must use spf when using retinol. avoid during pregnancy.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Use with caution โ start at 0.025%, buffer with moisturizer, use every 2โ3 nights initially
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Safe for general use at otc concentrations. not recommended during pregnancy. avoid with waxing. use spf daily. ewg hazard score: varies by concentration.
Works Well With: Niacinamide (soothes irritation),peptides,ceramides,hyaluronic acid,spf (mandatory)
Avoid Combining With: Benzoyl peroxide (may inactivate retinol),ahas/bhas (when new to retinol โ overexfoliation risk),vitamin c (use at different times)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Retinol is approximately 20 times less potent than prescription tretinoin (retinoic acid) but significantly better tolerated. the conversion rate of retinol to retinoic acid in skin is the rate-limiting step in its efficacy.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,journal of investigative dermatology,kligman et al. studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12