How I Damaged My Skin Barrier Using Retinoids and Bakuchiol

I’ve always believed in taking good care of my skin. So when I started using powerful skin actives like bakuchiol and adapalene gel, I thought I was making a smart, informed decision. Instead, I ended up damaging my skin barrier by overusing retinoids before giving them time to work.

I didn’t realize that retinoids like adapalene can take 12 weeks — sometimes longer — to show results. Impatient for improvement, I increased my usage. That’s when the irritation, tightness, and redness began.

Here's some information I gathered:

My skin became red, itchy, bumpy, and rough.

What Are Skin Actives?

“Skin actives” are ingredients specifically formulated to create noticeable changes in the skin. They’re not just moisturizers or cleansers. They’re targeted treatments designed to:

• Increase cell turnover
• Stimulate collagen production
• Reduce acne
• Improve texture
• Fade hyperpigmentation
• Smooth fine lines

They work by triggering biological changes in the skin. And that’s both their strength—and their risk.

Because they do something.

What Is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived ingredient extracted from the babchi plant. It’s often described as a “natural alternative to retinol” because it can:

• Help reduce the appearance of fine lines
• Improve skin tone
• Support collagen production
• Provide antioxidant benefits

Unlike traditional retinoids, bakuchiol is generally considered gentler and less irritating. It doesn’t typically cause peeling or extreme dryness, which makes it appealing to people with sensitive skin. Here's one clinical study I found.

Proper use? Start slow. Even though it’s milder than retinol, it’s still an active. Most dermatologists suggest beginning with once daily or even every other day, depending on skin sensitivity.

What Is Adapalene Gel?

Adapalene is a topical retinoid—synthetic vitamin A—commonly used to treat acne. One well-known over-the-counter version is Differin Gel.

Adapalene works by:

• Normalizing skin cell turnover
• Preventing clogged pores
• Reducing inflammation
• Helping clear and prevent acne

It’s powerful. And like all retinoids, it requires patience.

Proper use? Start two to three times per week, at night only. Use a pea-sized amount for the entire face. Apply moisturizer. And most importantly—wear sunscreen daily. Here's a deeper dive, if you're interested. 

How I Started (The Right Way)

When I first introduced bakuchiol and adapalene gel into my routine, I did what I thought was responsible.

I used each two to three times per week.
I never used them at the same time.
I paid attention to my skin.

And then… nothing happened.

Weeks went by. No dramatic glow. No visible smoothing. No miraculous transformation.

Frustration crept in.

How Long Do Skin Actives Take to Work?

Here’s what I failed to respect: skin actives take time.

• Bakuchiol: often 8–12 weeks for noticeable improvement

• Adapalene: 8–12 weeks for acne improvement, sometimes longer for texture and fine lines

• Retinoids in general: 3–6 months for full benefits

That timeline is normal.

But in a world of overnight transformations and filtered results, patience can feel impossible.

I convinced myself that if a little was good, more would be better.

Where I Went Wrong

I started using adapalene gel every single night.

I started using bakuchiol every single day.

At first, I thought I was being proactive.

In reality, I was overwhelming my skin.

Within a short time, my skin barrier began to break down. I noticed:

• Tightness
• Stinging when applying products
• Increased redness
• Flakiness, roughness
• Sensitivity to products that had never bothered me before

My skin wasn’t improving. It was stressed.

The irony? I damaged my skin trying to improve it faster.

What Is the Skin Barrier (and Why It Matters)?

Your skin barrier is your outermost layer. It keeps moisture in and irritants out. When it’s compromised, everything becomes a problem—cleansers sting, moisturizers burn, and inflammation increases.

Actives like adapalene speed up cell turnover. Used correctly, that’s beneficial. Used too aggressively, it strips your skin of its natural protective balance.

Bakuchiol may be gentler, but it still encourages cellular activity. Layering and overusing multiple actives can compound stress on the skin.

What I Learned

1. Slow progress is still progress.

2. More is not better with actives.

3. Your skin barrier matters more than speed.

4. Consistency beats intensity.

If you’re using skin actives, respect them.

Start low.
Increase slowly.
Give it at least 8–12 weeks before deciding it “isn’t working.”
Watch your skin—not social media.

And if irritation starts? Pull back immediately. Repair first. Actives later.

A Gentle Warning

Skin actives are powerful tools. They can truly transform your complexion—but only when used correctly.

Impatience cost me weeks of healing time. I had to strip my routine back to basics: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen. No actives. Just repair.

It was humbling.

If you’re currently using bakuchiol, adapalene, or any retinoid, take this as encouragement—not fear. These ingredients work. But they work on their own timeline.

Trust the process.
Protect your barrier.
Be patient.

Your skin will thank you for it. If you'd like information on how I repaired my skin barrier, read this post. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does adapalene take to work?

Adapalene typically takes 8–12 weeks to show improvement in acne.

Can bakuchiol damage your skin barrier?

While gentler than retinol, overuse can still irritate and weaken the barrier.

How do you repair a damaged skin barrier?

Focus on gentle cleansing, barrier creams, and avoiding actives temporarily.

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