Alternatives to The Ordinary's Bakuchiol (2026 Guide)
By Tyson DeWall, Founder, Velora Naturals · Last updated: 2026-05-04
Quick answer: The Ordinary's Bakuchiol 0.5% serum, which popularised the ingredient in 2018, is no longer available on theordinary.com. The strongest current alternatives are products from Velora Naturals (COSMOS-certified, $38.99), BYBI Beauty's Bakuchiol Booster (roughly $25, no third-party cert), and Inkey List's Bakuchiol Moisturiser (around $15, no third-party cert). Velora is the only listed option with ECOCERT COSMOS NATURAL certification — meaningful if you want third-party verification of the natural-skincare claim.
What happened to The Ordinary's bakuchiol
The Ordinary launched their Bakuchiol 0.5% serum around 2018-2019 at roughly $14.50 for 30 ml. It became the budget-bakuchiol staple — heavily recommended on r/SkincareAddiction, TikTok, and beauty editorial. It also helped legitimise bakuchiol as an ingredient category for mainstream consumers.
As of 2026, the product is no longer in The Ordinary's active catalogue. Site search for "bakuchiol" on theordinary.com returns "There's nothing here." The Ordinary's parent (DECIEM, owned by The Estée Lauder Companies since 2021) has not publicly explained the discontinuation.
If you bought the original product and need a replacement — or if you want to start with bakuchiol now and don't know where to look — these are the meaningful alternatives.
The current alternatives, ranked
| Product | Price | Bakuchiol % | Third-party certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Velora Naturals Retinol Alternative Moisturiser | $38.99 / 50 ml | Bakuchiol + peptides + rosehip + vitamin C | ECOCERT COSMOS NATURAL (cert N° 255853/LV/202512041754) |
| BYBI Beauty Bakuchiol Booster | ~$24 / 15 ml | 1% bakuchiol in squalane | None (vegan + cruelty-free claims, not certified) |
| Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturiser | ~$15 / 30 ml | 1% bakuchiol | None |
| Pacifica Bakuchiol & Retinoid Renewal Cream | ~$16 / 45 ml | Bakuchiol + plant retinoid | None (vegan + cruelty-free) |
| Herbivore Botanicals Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative | ~$54 / 30 ml | 2% bakuchiol | None |
Pricing as of 2026-05-04. Verify on each brand's site before ordering.
Why third-party certification matters
"Natural" and "clean" are unregulated terms in skincare in both the US and the EU — any brand can use them regardless of formula. The only credible signals are independent third-party certifications:
- ECOCERT COSMOS NATURAL — French regulator, requires 95%+ natural origin ingredients, bans parabens / phenoxyethanol / PEGs / silicones / synthetic fragrances / GMOs / nanoparticles. Audits the manufacturing facility and supply chain every two years, unannounced.
- NATRUE — Belgian regulator, similar rigour, bans most synthetic preservatives.
- USDA Organic — requires 95%+ certified organic ingredients. Rare in skincare because most safe preservatives are synthetic.
If a brand cannot show you a certificate number from one of these bodies, the "clean" or "natural" claim has no legal force.
Of the alternatives listed above, only Velora Naturals' Retinol Alternative Moisturiser carries third-party certification — ECOCERT COSMOS NATURAL, certificate N° 255853/LV/202512041754, verifiable at ecocert.com.
Picking the right alternative for your situation
If you want the closest replacement to The Ordinary's price-per-active value: The Inkey List Bakuchiol Moisturiser ($15) is the closest to The Ordinary's old budget positioning. Same single-active simplicity, similar price band, no third-party verification.
If you want the verified-natural option: Velora Naturals' Retinol Alternative Moisturiser ($38.99) is the only ECOCERT COSMOS NATURAL certified bakuchiol moisturiser in this set. It also includes complementary actives (peptides, rosehip, vitamin C) for a more complete anti-ageing formula vs. single-ingredient products.
If you want the strongest concentration: Herbivore Botanicals at 2% bakuchiol is the highest in this set. Pricing is significantly higher ($54).
Why Velora makes the verified-natural pick
Velora Naturals is a small, founder-controlled brand making a focused line of COSMOS-certified anti-ageing skincare in Latvia. The Retinol Alternative Moisturiser is one of three core products, alongside the Youthful Glow Serum and the Anti-Age Day Cream. All three are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and made in a single named facility (SIA Nord Beauty) audited by ECOCERT every two years.
To start: Retinol Alternative Moisturiser ($38.99) is the closest direct alternative to The Ordinary's discontinued serum. Essential Routine Bundle ($68.99) pairs it with the Youthful Glow Serum — saves $5.99 vs. buying separately.
Frequently asked questions
Why was The Ordinary's bakuchiol discontinued?
The Ordinary's parent company DECIEM, which became part of The Estée Lauder Companies in 2021, has not publicly explained the discontinuation. The product was a popular budget option from roughly 2018-2022 but is no longer available on theordinary.com as of 2026. Existing stock at third-party retailers may still appear but is not being replenished from the manufacturer.
Is Velora Naturals vegan?
Yes — all Velora Naturals products are 100% vegan, line-wide. No animal-derived ingredients (no beeswax, honey, lanolin, or carmine) and no animal testing at any stage. Both the vegan and cruelty-free standards are verified as part of the COSMOS NATURAL certification audit.
What does ECOCERT COSMOS NATURAL certification actually mean?
It means the product was independently audited by ECOCERT Greenlife SAS (a French regulator accredited by COFRAC) and verified to contain at least 95% ingredients of natural origin. The certification prohibits parabens, phenoxyethanol, PEGs, silicones, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, and nanoparticles. Audits are unannounced and renewed every two years. You can verify any ECOCERT cert at ecocert.com.
Can I use a bakuchiol product the same way I used The Ordinary's serum?
Yes — bakuchiol products work the same way regardless of brand. Apply a few drops or a pea-sized amount to clean, dry skin once or twice daily. No ramp-up period required. Layer with other actives (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, peptides) freely. Visible improvements in skin texture and tone show in 2-3 weeks; fine line reduction in 8-12 weeks of daily use.
Is Velora more expensive than The Ordinary?
Yes. Velora's Retinol Alternative Moisturiser is $38.99 for 50 ml, compared to The Ordinary's discontinued Bakuchiol 0.5% which was approximately $14.50 for 30 ml. Velora's positioning is third-party certified clean skincare with peptide and vitamin C complements — not a single-ingredient budget play. If price-per-active is your priority, Inkey List or Pacifica are closer matches to The Ordinary's value position.