Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum Versus Neogen Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum
Updated on March 20, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum 27 ingredients
Neogen Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum 42 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum 27 ingredients
Neogen Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum 42 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicBakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAmethyst Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin ProtectingVaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract
AstringentAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract
EmollientCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSodium Phytate
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Coco-Glucoside
CleansingMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCoccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOcimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract
TonicCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Water, Glycerin, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Bakuchiol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Psoralea Corylifolia Fruit Extract, Amethyst Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aloe Barbadensis Flower Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Phytate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Coco-Glucoside, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Ocimum Basilicum Flower/Leaf Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentGlycerin
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Glycereth-26
HumectantDiglycerin
HumectantCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polyglycerin-3
HumectantGardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMelaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil
Antioxidant
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Masking
Salvia Sclarea Oil
Masking
Bakuchiol
Antimicrobial
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingDextrin
AbsorbentCyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
Masking
Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGuaiazulene
Antimicrobial
Lavandula Angustifolia Oil
Masking
Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Lupinus Albus Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycereth-26, Diglycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Adenosine, Polyglycerin-3, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Salvia Sclarea Oil, Bakuchiol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipropylene Glycol, Dextrin, Cyanocobalamin, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract, Guaiazulene, Lavandula Angustifolia Oil, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Lupinus Albus Seed Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopherol, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived antioxidant (it's vegan!). It is often called the replacement for retinol although it is not part of the same family.
It has similar effects as retinol: skin smoothing, reducing discoloration, and preventing wrinkles. It does not cause as much irritation as traditional retinoids.
Bakuchiol works by breaking down free radicals and stimulating collagen production in skin.
Combining bakuchiol with retinol will not have adverse side effects. Studies show using them will just boost the benefits. Bakuchiol is also found to help stabilize retinol.
While bakuchiol does not make the skin more sun sensitive, we recommend wearing SPF on a daily basis.
Read more about traditional retinol
Learn more about Bakuchiol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
We don't have a description for Solanum Melongena Fruit Extract yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum 27 ingredients
Neogen Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum 42 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Herbivore Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum 27 ingredients
Neogen Real Bakuchiol Firming Serum 42 ingredients
Still not sure...
I am not so sure whether to like it or not. I tried it out and its my first bottle. So far I did not notice anything bad, but also nothing really great happened.
I will buy it again because I think it helps getting my skin less fine lines and keeping it smoother BUT I am not sure. I will try it out only at night in combination with the Dr. Different Vitalift nightcreme, maybe Show more
My husband likes the feeling in his skin, but can't say if he noticed a difference. I didn't notice any effects so I moved on to try my next product. Good product, just not for me.
