Plum

1% Retinol Face Serum with Bakuchiol.

Retinoids

About this product

A facial serum combining retinol and bakuchiol designed to support skin renewal and reduce signs of aging.

Full ingredients

Aqua, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Sucrose, Propanediol, Squalane, Isodecyl Neopentanoate, Retinyl Palmitate, Malus Domestica Fruit Cell Culture Extract, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Pea Protein, Glycine, Proline, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Psoralea Corylifolia (Bakuchi) Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Lecithin, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitol, Cyclodextrin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 60, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer

Guru Score

67%

Mixed

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

1Yay

0Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Suits normal, dry, oily skin

What they flagged

Falsely labeled as retinol serum
Not for sensitive skin starters
Bakuchiol underdosed

What the gurus are saying

The label claims 1% retinol, but the serum contains retinyl palmitate (the weakest form of vitamin A, not true retinol) which splits expert takes sharply: some dismiss it as misinformation and score it 3.5 out of 10, while others adore the formula, scoring it 7 out of 10 and recommending it for most skin types, though those with sensitive skin are advised to start with a milder product instead.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take August 2026

Best for

Dry skin Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Retinoid Hyaluronic acid Squalane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Nay

"This is the most disappointing formula from this whole video. It's coming with retinol palmitate, not retinol, but they've marketed it as 1% retinol, and that's misinformation. Retinol palmitate is one step removed, it has to be converted to retinol, and it's one of the weakest forms of vitamin A. They add in an apple stem cell extract, but the clinical evidence on actual cosmetic formulas in human skin is thin. They did add in bakuchiol oil, which is a genuine ingredient, but it's after the preservative system in the ingredient list, so it's almost certainly less than 1%. I really don't like this formula. This is a 3.5 out of 10."

All 3 takes from Dr. Vanita Rattan

The best and worst anti-aging and anti pigmentation serums on nykaa

"They've written retinol serum 1%. The seventh ingredient in here is retinyl palmitate. There is no retinol in this product. This is terrible. This would be actually illegal in the UK to do this. This is false advertising. You cannot write 1% of an ingredient and not put the ingredient in the product itself. Retinyl palmitate is the weakest form of vitamin A. You absolutely cannot write 1% retinol serum when there's no retinol in the product. This is one to avoid and I'm very disappointed in that."

Retinol Mistakes You're Making - Dr Vanita Rattan

"There is no retinol in this product. This is terrible. This would be actually illegal in the UK to do this."

Best & Worst Retinols On Nykaa

Nipun Kapur

409k subs

~Yay

"You've got retinol ester here, which is high up in concentration after a couple of other ingredients. You've also got bakuchiol in this, which is a plant-based retinol, so it is like doubling up the retinol benefit. This is a product that I absolutely, absolutely love. Having said that, if you have sensitive skin, then don't start with this product. You can use this product after you use something that is for sensitive skin. But in general, normal hair, dry hair, oily hair, sensitive, this is a product that I highly, highly recommend. I give this a seven out of ten."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Plum 1% Retinol Face Serum with Bakuchiol?

A facial serum combining retinol and bakuchiol designed to support skin renewal and reduce signs of aging.

Is Plum 1% Retinol Face Serum with Bakuchiol worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 67%.

What is Plum 1% Retinol Face Serum with Bakuchiol's Guru Score?

Plum 1% Retinol Face Serum with Bakuchiol holds a Guru Score of 67%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.