I have tried quite a few skincare products over the years, and at 55, I have become much more selective about what I keep using. I have a few lines, my skin is normal rather than particularly oily or dry, and while I wouldn’t describe it as overly sensitive, I am careful about what I put on my face. I don’t expect one serum to suddenly take years off my appearance, but I do want something that makes my skin look and feel better without leaving me greasy, sticky or irritated. That is what made EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Face Serum stand out to me. I liked it enough the first time that I bought it again, and after using it consistently, I can honestly say I plan to keep purchasing it.
EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Face Serum is a Korean skincare product centered around bakuchiol, with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid also included in the formula. It is marketed as a natural retinol alternative for people who want to address the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and uneven texture while using something that may be easier to tolerate than traditional retinoids. I don’t think bakuchiol should be presented as an exact replacement for retinol or retinal because they are different ingredients, but I do think there is a good reason bakuchiol has become so popular, particularly among people who want an anti-aging product that fits more easily into their everyday routine.
My Experience With EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum
The texture was one of the first things I noticed, and it is probably one of the reasons I enjoy using this serum so much. It isn’t thin and watery like some facial serums that immediately run down your face as soon as you apply them. This one has more body to it and feels almost like a lightweight moisturizer, so I can spread it across my face without having to chase it around my skin. Once I work it in, it settles nicely without leaving the sticky film that I have experienced with some other serums.
I also really like the way my skin looks immediately after applying it. There is a hydrated, slightly plumped appearance that makes my skin look fresh without making it look oily, and that effect is especially nice before I put the rest of my skincare on. I normally let the serum absorb properly before applying my moisturizer, and if I’m going outside, I finish with sunscreen. I have found that giving each product a little time to sink in makes the whole routine feel much better than putting everything on top of each other while the previous layer is still wet.
The Little White Bakuchiol Beads Are Normal
One thing you might notice when you first use EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum is the little white balls mixed into the product. I had seen this with other bakuchiol products before, so it wasn’t completely unfamiliar to me, but it is something worth mentioning if you have never used a bakuchiol serum. The little beads dissolve as you massage the product into your skin, so they don’t remain sitting on your face after application.
I actually find it kind of interesting because you can see those little particles disappear as you work the serum in. Once everything has been absorbed, there is no gritty or beaded feeling left behind, and the finish is smooth and comfortable. It is one of those small details that might seem strange when you first notice it, but there is nothing about it that bothers me.
Does EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum Have a Strong Smell?
The scent is another small detail I really appreciate about this serum. I’ve bought EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum twice now, and neither bottle had a strong or overpowering fragrance. There is a slight scent when you first apply it, but it is subtle and disappears quickly, so I barely notice it once the serum has been worked into my skin. I don’t want my skincare products to smell like perfume, especially something I’m putting directly on my face, so the mild scent is definitely a plus for me.
That may not sound like a major feature, but it makes a difference when you are using a product regularly. If something has a strong fragrance that I don’t enjoy, I eventually start avoiding it no matter how good the product is supposed to be. I don’t have that problem with this serum.
EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum for Mature Skin
At 55, I look at anti-aging skincare a little differently than I did when I was younger. I’m not expecting a serum to erase every line on my face, and I don’t think realistic skincare results should be described that way. What matters to me is whether my skin looks healthier, smoother and more hydrated over time, and whether I can actually enjoy using the product enough to keep it in my routine.
With EQUALBERRY, I feel like I have noticed a difference. The immediate effect is the hydrated, plumped look I get after applying it, while the longer-term change is more subtle. After using it consistently, I feel that my skin looks smoother and that some of the lines don’t stand out quite as much as they did before. I can’t claim that the serum has removed my wrinkles because it hasn’t, but I do think it has improved the overall appearance and feel of my skin, and that is enough for me to consider it effective.
Bakuchiol vs Retinal: Why I Like Having Both
I use retinal before bed, so I don’t look at this EQUALBERRY serum as something that has to replace my nighttime retinal. I actually like having both because they serve different purposes in my routine. Retinal is a retinoid that I prefer to use at night, while this bakuchiol serum gives me another option that I can comfortably use in the morning as well.
Since this serum does not contain retinal, I don’t have the same concern about treating it like a nighttime-only product. I can apply it in the morning, let it absorb, follow it with my moisturizer and then put sunscreen over everything before going outside. I still use sunscreen every day because protecting my skin from UV exposure is important regardless of which anti-aging ingredients I am using.
I also think this is where it is important not to get carried away with the phrase “natural retinol alternative.” Bakuchiol has become popular because it is associated with similar cosmetic goals, but it isn’t literally retinol or retinal and shouldn’t be expected to behave exactly the same way. For me, that isn’t a problem because I like what the product does on its own.
Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid Add to the Formula
Although bakuchiol is obviously the main reason I purchased this serum, I like that the formula also includes niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Niacinamide is widely used in skincare for the appearance of pores, uneven tone and texture, while hyaluronic acid is a familiar hydrating ingredient that can help give the skin a fuller, more moisturized appearance.
That combination makes sense for the kind of product EQUALBERRY is trying to create. I don’t want an anti-aging serum that leaves my skin feeling dry in the process of trying to improve its texture. This one leaves my face feeling comfortable, and once I put my moisturizer on top, I don’t have that tight or sticky feeling that can sometimes happen with active skincare products.
Can You Use EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum in the Morning?
Yes, and morning use is actually one of the things I enjoy about it. My routine isn’t complicated, but I do like giving my skincare enough time to absorb before putting another product over it. I apply the EQUALBERRY serum first, wait for it to sink into my skin, then use my moisturizer and finish with sunscreen when I’m going outside.
I haven’t had a problem with the serum interfering with the products I apply afterward. It doesn’t leave my skin so tacky that my moisturizer feels difficult to spread, and my sunscreen goes on normally as long as I don’t rush the process. I’ve learned that with skincare, sometimes the difference between a product layering well and becoming a mess is simply giving each layer a minute or two to settle.
Is EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum Good for Sensitive Skin?
The serum is marketed as a retinol alternative for people who may prefer something gentler, including those with sensitive skin. I can’t speak for everyone with sensitive skin because my own skin isn’t particularly reactive, but I have been comfortable using it and haven’t experienced the irritation I would worry about with some stronger anti-aging products.
I still wouldn’t assume that anyone can use it without checking the ingredient list first. Even products marketed toward sensitive skin can contain ingredients that don’t agree with certain people. If your skin is very sensitive or you are prone to reactions, I would introduce it gradually and patch test it rather than immediately applying a generous amount all over your face.
Does EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum Really Work?
For me, it has worked well enough that I bought it twice, and that is probably the simplest answer I can give. I don’t repurchase skincare products just because the packaging looks nice or because the ingredient list sounds impressive. If I don’t like how something feels or I don’t notice any benefit after giving it a fair amount of time, I move on to something else.
What I like about this serum is that I notice something both immediately and with continued use. Right after application, my skin looks hydrated and plumper, which gives it a nice healthy appearance. Over time, I feel that the overall texture and appearance of my skin have improved, and I like the way my few lines look when my skin is properly hydrated.
That doesn’t mean everyone will have the exact same experience. Skincare results depend on your skin type, your existing routine, how consistently you use the product and plenty of other factors. I’m simply sharing what happened with my own skin, and in my case, I have been happy enough with the results to keep using it.
What I Like About EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum
The texture is probably my favorite feature because it sits in that comfortable middle ground between a traditional serum and a light moisturizer. It is thick enough that it doesn’t run all over my face, but it isn’t heavy once it has absorbed. I also appreciate the mild scent because I don’t want something strongly fragranced sitting on my face all day.
Another thing I like is how easily it fits into the rest of my routine. I can use it in the morning, let it sink in, apply moisturizer and then put sunscreen on top. I don’t have to completely rearrange my skincare routine just to accommodate it, which makes me much more likely to keep using it consistently.
Most importantly, I like the way my skin looks after I use it. My skin feels moisturized without feeling greasy, and I think the continued use has made a visible difference in the overall appearance of my skin. Considering that I have already purchased it twice and plan to buy it again, I think that says quite a bit about how I feel about the product.
What I Don’t Like
There isn’t a long list of complaints here because I genuinely like the serum. My biggest disappointment is actually something very simple: I wish EQUALBERRY sold it in a larger size. Once you find something that works well for your skin and becomes part of your regular routine, it is frustrating to reach the bottom of the bottle sooner than you’d like.
The other thing I would point out is that I wouldn’t buy it expecting bakuchiol to produce exactly the same results as retinal. I use retinal because I specifically want a retinoid in my nighttime routine, and I see EQUALBERRY as a product that complements that routine rather than completely replacing it. If you are looking for a strong retinoid treatment, this isn’t what you are buying.
Pros
- Thick, smooth consistency that doesn’t run during application
- Feels more like a lightweight moisturizer than a watery serum
- Little white bakuchiol beads dissolve as you rub the product in
- Mild scent rather than a strong perfume-like fragrance
- Absorbs without leaving my skin sticky
- Works well underneath moisturizer and sunscreen
- Convenient for morning or nighttime use
- Gives my skin an immediately hydrated and plumped appearance
- Contains bakuchiol, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid
- Has worked well for my normal skin
- Good value for the quality
- I’ve already purchased it twice and plan to keep buying it
Cons
- I wish it came in a larger size
- Bakuchiol should not be expected to produce identical results to retinal or retinol
- Anyone with very sensitive or reactive skin should still introduce it carefully
Is EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum Worth Buying?
For me, yes, and I think my decision to buy it a second time says more than anything else I could write about it. There are plenty of skincare products that sound promising when you first read about them but don’t become part of your actual routine because you don’t like the texture, the scent or the way they make your skin feel. EQUALBERRY has managed to avoid all of those problems for me.
I like that the serum has enough thickness to stay on my face while I apply it, but it doesn’t feel heavy once it has absorbed. I like that the scent is mild, that the little bakuchiol beads dissolve as I rub it in, and that I can put my moisturizer and sunscreen over it without feeling like I have too many layers sitting on my skin.
More importantly, I like my skin when I use it. At 55, I am realistic about what a skincare serum can do, but I can still tell when a product makes my skin look more hydrated, smoother and generally healthier. I feel that EQUALBERRY has made a difference for me, and I enjoy using it enough that I don’t have to convince myself to remember it.
Conclusion
So, is EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Plumping Face Serum worth it? Based on my own experience, I think it is. I’ve purchased it twice, I like the way it feels on my skin, and I plan to continue purchasing it. For my normal skin at 55, it has become one of those products that earns its place in my routine because I actually notice a difference and enjoy using it.
I wouldn’t describe it as a miracle wrinkle treatment, and I wouldn’t tell someone to throw away their retinal because they bought a bakuchiol serum. Bakuchiol and retinoids aren’t identical, and I think it is much better to judge this product on its own merits. What EQUALBERRY gives me is a comfortable, moisturizing serum with bakuchiol that leaves my skin looking plumper and more hydrated immediately, while continued use has made me feel that my skin looks smoother and that my fine lines are less noticeable.
The fact that I have already gone back and bought another bottle is probably the strongest recommendation I can give. EQUALBERRY Bakuchiol Serum gets a definite thumbs-up from me, and the only thing I would change is making the bottle bigger so I don’t have to replace it quite so often.
Check out the Beplain Cleansing Oil that I reviewed earlier.