Paula's Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment for dry skin
Retinol
Bakuchiol
Peptides
Ascorbic Acid
Ceramide Ng
Average
- HighDry Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate benefits for your dry skin, as glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide humectant action and ceramide NG aids in barrier repair, though it lacks specialized ingredients to directly address flakiness.
- The inclusion of retinol and bakuchiol offers excellent skin smoothing and anti-aging effects, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- The product is safe for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like oat kernel extract and licorice root extract.
How to apply
- Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
- Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsUsers find this treatment to be a gentle and effective beginner-friendly retinol, especially beneficial for sensitive or dry skin. Many report improved skin texture and a reduction in fine lines, with a healthy glow and no typical retinol irritation. Some users experienced issues with the packaging pump and found the price point to be high.
Highlights
Gentle, non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “no irritation or redness”
- “gentle enough for daily use”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “didn't dry me out”
- “zero peeling”
Smoother skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels so smooth”
- “texture is refined”
- “softens rough patches”
- “face feels like silk”
- “bumps disappeared”
Good for beginners Sometimes Noted
- “perfect starter retinol”
- “great introduction product”
- “good step up from 0.1%”
- “easy to incorporate”
- “beginner friendly”
Hydrating, glowing Sometimes Noted
- “gives a nice glow”
- “moisturizing formula”
- “skin looks radiant”
- “dewy finish”
- “not drying at all”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “softened forehead lines”
- “crows feet look better”
- “lines are less visible”
- “plumps up wrinkles”
- “youthful appearance”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for the amount”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “luxury price tag”
- “waiting for a sale”
Packaging pump issues Sometimes Noted
- “pump stopped working”
- “hard to get product out”
- “dispenser is faulty”
- “bottle design is poor”
- “product gets stuck”
Initial breakouts Rarely Noted
- “caused some breakouts”
- “purged for a few weeks”
- “small pimples appeared”
- “skin got worse before better”
- “minor congestion”
Slow results Rarely Noted
- “didn't see a difference”
- “too weak for me”
- “need something stronger”
- “results take a long time”
- “no dramatic change”
Texture/smell Rarely Noted
- “smell is odd”
- “texture is too thick”
- “feels slightly heavy”
- “scent isn't great”
- “takes time to absorb”
Sources: lovi.care, sephora.com.au, paulaschoice.it, dermstore.com, influenster.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Paula's Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment work for dry skin?
This treatment works well for dry skin by smoothing texture and softening fine lines, though other products fit this skin type better. It offers moderate moisture through glycerin and sodium hyaluronate alongside barrier-supporting ceramide NG, but it needs richer hydrating ingredients and barrier-repairing components like niacinamide, propolis, or bifida fermentation to truly excel for dry skin.
Which ingredients make this treatment a good fit for dry skin?
Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, and ceramide NG make this treatment a good fit for dry skin by providing hydration and helping repair the skin barrier. Because it is an average fit, a product of this type needs additional nourishing ingredients like propolis, niacinamide, bifida fermentation, and extra soothing hydrators to fully care for dry skin.
What does Retinol do for dry skin?
Retinol is a poor fit for dry skin because it frequently causes scaling, stinging, and dryness. To care for dry skin properly, a product needs gentle, hydrating ingredients like ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and keep the skin barrier calm and smooth.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023
What does Bakuchiol do for dry skin?
Bakuchiol helps soothe sensitive dry skin while keeping it soft and smooth. It improves skin moisture content and barrier function while reducing redness and irritation.
Health Science Reports, 2025Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2020
Where does this treatment go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Putting treatments in the evening provides extra safety around sun exposure and keeps the routine simple.
Can I use this treatment with niacinamide, and in what order?
You can safely use this treatment alongside niacinamide in your routine by applying niacinamide first and following with this treatment once it absorbs. This combination helps smooth your skin and improve texture while keeping it calm, though a product tailored for dry skin also needs richer, nourishing oils and butters to target flakiness.
How often should I use this treatment?
This treatment is used in the evening, starting once a week and slowly increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. It is unlikely to cause irritation thanks to its soothing ingredients, though a product for dry skin also needs specialized ingredients to directly address flakiness.
Can this treatment clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This treatment is unlikely to cause irritation on dry skin, but you may experience initial breakouts as your skin adjusts to the retinol. A product for this skin needs rich hydrating ingredients and barrier repair components to keep it smooth and comfortable.
Is this treatment fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, and cetearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Topical application of all-trans-retinol induced epidermal thickening and increased retinoid binding protein expression similar to all-trans-retinoic acid in normal human skin, but without causing significant erythema or measurable retinoic acid levels.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 1995A dermocosmetic containing bakuchiol, Ginkgo biloba extract, and mannitol improves inflammatory lesions, Investigator Global Assessment, and seborrhea intensity when added to adapalene 0.1% gel in patients with acne vulgaris.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2015Topical application of a serum containing supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract significantly improved barrier function, reduced redness and sensitivity, and improved wrinkles and elasticity in 34 Chinese subjects with sensitive skin after 28 days.
Health Science Reports, 2025Bakuchiol functions as an anti-aging compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression, producing significant improvements in lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, and photo-damage after 12 weeks of twice-a-day facial application without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Why other serums fit dry skin better
Treatment with cross-linked hyaluronic acid-based microneedle patches combined with acetyl hexapeptide-8 or epidermal growth factor significantly improved wrinkles and skin hydration compared to the patch alone in Korean females over 29 days.
Annals of Dermatology, 2019Acetyl hexapeptide-3 and tripeptide-10 citrulline demonstrated antiwrinkle efficacy and decreased transepidermal water loss in twenty-four healthy volunteers compared to control groups, though synergistic effects between the two peptides remained unclear.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2017
Ingredients
Water, Dimethicone, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisoostearate, Isononyl Isononanoate, Butylene Glycol, Bakuchiol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Peg-75 Shea Glycerides Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polysorbate 20, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Retinol, Ceramide Ng, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Sodium Hyaluronate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract Licorice Root Extract, Avena Sativa Kernel Extract Oat Kernel Extract, Arctium Lappa Root Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Glycine Soja Soybean Sterols, Lecithin, Allantoin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Sodium Hydroxide, Tribehenin, Caprylyl Glycol, Dipeptide-2, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract, Peg-10 Phytosterol, Peg-8, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Arachidyl Glucoside, Chrysin, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Steareth-20, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coco-Glucoside, Hesperidin Methyl Chalcone, N-Hydroxysuccinimide, Disodium Edta, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.