Retinol Moisturiser, Retinol Serum or Bakuchiol: Which One to Start With

A retinol night cream, a retinol serum and a bakuchiol balm can all promise smoother skin, but they suit very different people. How to choose your first one, and how to use it without the usual retinol drama.

2026-08-03

Retinoids are among the best-studied ingredients in cosmetic skincare for fine lines, uneven texture and clogged pores. They are also among the easiest to get wrong. Flaking, stinging and a red, sore face in week two are common reasons people give up.

A lot of that comes down to choosing the wrong starting format. A retinol moisturiser, a retinol serum and a bakuchiol product are not interchangeable. Each suits a different kind of skin and a different kind of user.

This guide focuses on choosing the format. For how to ramp up once you have chosen, see retinol mistakes beginners make, and for a deeper look at the plant alternative, bakuchiol: retinol alternative or marketing shortcut?

The three options at a glance

Retinol (or retinoid) moisturiser: retinoid built into a night cream. One step, usually gentler, often a lower or less clearly stated strength. Best for beginners, dry or sensitive skin, and people who want simplicity.
Retinol serum: a separate, more concentrated layer under your moisturiser. More control and often clearer strength labelling. Best for people who already have a basic routine and want to adjust strength over time.
Bakuchiol: a plant-derived ingredient with some evidence for similar-looking benefits, usually with less irritation. Best for very reactive skin, or for people who cannot or prefer not to use retinoids.

Retinol moisturisers: the easy on-ramp

A retinoid moisturiser combines two steps in one. Because the retinoid sits in a cushioning cream, many people find it less irritating than a serum, and it removes the question of how to layer.

Olay Regenerist Retinol24OlayOlay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Cream 50gOlay Regenerist Retinol24 Night Cream 50g is a face moisturiser for daily face-care routines. It is the 50g option, supplied as one retail unit of the selected variant.S$32.28

is a well-known example. The Retinol24 night moisturiser uses a retinoid complex in a fragrance-free cream, and the wider range includes a serum and eye cream if you want to build on it later. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Retinol Cream is another well-known pharmacy option, offered in fragrance-free and scented versions.

Choose a retinol moisturiser if:

You are new to retinoids.
Your skin is dry, sensitive or easily irritated.
You want the fewest steps possible.
You often skip routines when tired. One product is easier to stay consistent with.

Trade-offs: strength is often not stated, and you cannot easily separate "my skin needs more moisture" from "my skin needs less retinoid". If irritation starts, you have to cut back on both.

Retinol serums: more control

Serums let you choose and adjust the strength, and you can pair them with whichever moisturiser your skin likes.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol SerumCeraVeCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 30mlCeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum 30ml is a facial serum in a 30ml pack.S$36.85

contains encapsulated retinol in a light serum and is a common first serum for oily and acne-prone skin. La Roche-Posay Retinol B3 Serum pairs retinol with niacinamide (vitamin B3). If you like clear percentages, The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane states its strength on the label and comes in a squalane base that feels more like a light oil than a gel.

Choose a retinol serum if:

You already use a cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen consistently.
You want to start low and step up over months.
You have oily or acne-prone skin and want your moisturiser to stay light.

Trade-offs: one more step, and more room for error. Serums are easier to overuse. If you are curious about strengths, our retinol percentages guide explains what the numbers mean.

Bakuchiol: the gentler alternative

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound that is not a retinoid, but a small number of studies suggest it may give some similar-looking benefits for fine lines and texture with less irritation. The evidence base is much smaller than for retinol, so expectations should be modest.

Orjena Age Rebel Multi BalmOrjenaOrjena Age Rebel Multi Balm 13gORJENA Age Rebel Multi Balm featuring a blend of hyaluronic acid, bakuchiol, and idebenone for a synergistic firming effect, offering improved skin elasticity with a smooth, non-sticky, water gliding texture. Skin safety tested for low simulation. Vegan formula.S$32.56

is a small multi-balm that combines bakuchiol with hyaluronic acid and idebenone, handy for targeted areas such as smile lines or the forehead. Some products combine both: Neogence Retinol Advanced Firming Cream is a night cream with retinoids, bakuchiol, peptides, niacinamide and panthenol, so treat it as a retinoid product, not a retinoid-free one.

Products labelled "retinol alternative" do not always mean bakuchiol. Madara Retinol Alternative Plant-Powered Night CreamMadaraMadara Retinol Alternative Plant-Powered Night Cream 50mlMadara Retinol Alternative Plant-Powered Night Cream, 50ml.S$100.65

is a plant-based night cream positioned as a retinol alternative; read the ingredient list to see which ingredients it relies on.

Choose bakuchiol if:

Your skin has reacted badly to retinoids before.
You have very sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.
You want something to use during a period when retinoids are not advised.

Trade-offs: less evidence, often a higher price for what it does, and results that are generally subtler.

What about retinol for the body?

Retinol body lotions are a separate category with their own rules: larger areas, different skin, and different reasons for using them. If you are considering one, start with body retinol: should you use retinol below the neck? Keep body products off your face unless the label says they are for both.

A word on pregnancy

Retinoids, including over-the-counter retinol, are generally avoided during pregnancy and while trying to conceive. Bakuchiol is often marketed as a pregnancy-safe alternative, but safety data are limited. If you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using any of these.

How to start, whichever you choose

The format changes, but the starting rules do not.

Start two or three nights a week for the first two to four weeks.
Use a pea-sized amount for the whole face. More is not faster.
Apply to dry skin after cleansing. Damp skin can increase irritation for some people.
Avoid the corners of the nose, mouth and eyes at first.
Do not stack with acids or scrubs in the same night while you are starting.
Wear sunscreen every morning. Retinoids make the skin more sensitive to sun. In Singapore, that means every day, not just beach days. See retinol in real life for fitting it around late nights and office air-con.

Common mistakes

Starting with a serum and a retinol moisturiser together. That doubles the dose without you noticing.
Chasing a tingle. Stinging is irritation, not proof it is working.
Giving up at week three. Visible changes in texture often take two to three months of consistent use.
Switching products every fortnight. Pick one and give it time.

If you develop persistent redness, swelling or a burning rash, stop the product. If it does not settle within a few days of stopping, see a doctor.

FAQ

Can I use a retinol moisturiser every night from the start?

Most people do better starting two or three nights a week, even with a gentle cream. If your skin stays calm after a few weeks, increase to alternate nights, then nightly if you like.

Do I still need a regular moisturiser with a retinol moisturiser?

Not always. If your skin feels comfortable, the retinol moisturiser is enough on the nights you use it. If you feel dry, apply a plain moisturiser first and the retinol cream on top, or add a plain layer afterwards.

Can I use a retinol serum in the morning?

Retinol is usually used at night because it can break down in light and because evening use fits better with daytime sunscreen. Keep it as a night step unless the label says otherwise.

Is bakuchiol as good as retinol?

The evidence is far smaller. Bakuchiol may help some people, especially those who cannot tolerate retinoids, but it is not a like-for-like swap.

Bottom line

New to retinoids or have dry, sensitive skin? Start with a retinol moisturiser such as Olay Retinol24 or Neutrogena's retinol cream. Already have a steady routine and want control? Choose a serum. Very reactive skin or avoiding retinoids? Bakuchiol is a reasonable, gentler option with modest expectations. Whatever you pick, go slowly and wear sunscreen.