I’ll be honest: when a serum costs under $25 and promises “32.95% wrinkle reduction in 4 weeks,” my skepticism runs deep. After testing serums that cost ten times more and deliver marginal results, I’ve learned that most budget anti-aging products are heavy on marketing and light on actual performance. But HKH’s Bakuchiol Retinol Serum in capsule form made me reconsider what’s possible at this price point.
The single-use capsules caught my attention first. In a category where most affordable serums come in dropper bottles that oxidize within weeks, the individual packaging felt like someone actually understood skincare formulation. Each amber capsule contains enough serum for face and neck—not so much that you’re wasteful, not so little that you’re rationing.
What This Serum Actually Is
This is bakuchiol-based anti-aging serum positioned as a retinol alternative, packaged in 30 single-use capsules. Despite the confusing product name that mentions both “bakuchiol” and “retinol,” this is purely plant-based—there’s no actual retinol in the formula. The active blend centers on bakuchiol (the gentler botanical alternative), supported by rock rose extract and what the brand calls “ODS peptides.”
The target customer is clear: someone who wants anti-aging benefits without retinol’s notorious irritation, particularly those with sensitive skin who’ve been burned by traditional retinoids. At $22.99 for a month’s supply, it’s positioned as an accessible entry into serious anti-aging, not a luxury splurge.
The Capsule Experience
Breaking open the first capsule, I was struck by how fresh the serum felt. The texture is lightweight but substantial—more viscous than a typical vitamin C serum but nowhere near the richness of a night cream. It spreads easily across the face without that sticky residue that plagues many budget serums.
The scent is subtle and genuinely pleasant—a light, almost spa-like fragrance that feels intentional rather than masking cheap ingredients. For someone with combination skin like mine, this disappeared into my skin within minutes, leaving no greasy film on my T-zone but enough moisture that my cheeks didn’t feel tight.
What impressed me was the consistency between capsules. Each one delivered the same texture and potency, which speaks to better quality control than I expected at this price point.
Performance Over Four Weeks
The brand’s clinical testing claims seemed bold, so I tracked my results carefully. After two weeks, I noticed my morning routine felt different—my skin looked more even when I woke up, and my usual 3pm dullness wasn’t as pronounced.
By week three, the changes were visible in photos. The fine lines around my eyes weren’t dramatically reduced, but they looked softer, less etched. My forehead lines, which deepen when I’m stressed, appeared less prominent even during a particularly hectic work period.
The most noticeable change was skin texture. My combination skin tends to look rough in certain lighting, but after a month of consistent use, that uneven texture had smoothed considerably. Not to the degree I’d expect from a high-concentration retinol, but enough to notice without a magnifying mirror.
How It Compares to True Alternatives
Against other bakuchiol serums in this price range, HKH holds its own remarkably well. Herbivore’s Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative costs nearly three times more and, in my experience, delivers comparable results. The capsule format gives HKH an edge in freshness and travel convenience.
Compared to actual retinol products, this is obviously gentler but also less transformative. A prescription tretinoin will deliver more dramatic results, but with significant irritation that many can’t tolerate. This serum occupies a useful middle ground—more effective than basic moisturizers, gentler than retinoids.
Where it falls short is against established anti-aging serums with proven track records. SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic or Skinceuticals Retinol 0.25 will show more dramatic results, but they also cost significantly more and can be harsh for sensitive skin types.
The Real Pros and Cons
What Actually Works:
- Capsule packaging maintains potency better than dropper bottles
- Genuinely gentle formula that doesn’t cause irritation or peeling
- Noticeable improvement in skin texture and subtle line softening
- Pleasant, non-clinical application experience
- Excellent value for the price point
- Travel-friendly individual doses
The Honest Downsides:
- Results are subtle—don’t expect dramatic transformation
- The product name is confusing and misleading about ingredients
- 30 capsules means you need to reorder monthly, which gets tedious
- Limited availability compared to mainstream beauty retailers
- No SPF, so you need separate sun protection (though this should be standard)
- Won’t compete with prescription-strength treatments for serious aging concerns
Who This Actually Makes Sense For
This serum works best for skincare beginners who want to start anti-aging routines without risking irritation. If you’re in your late twenties or early thirties and starting to notice fine lines, this provides a gentle introduction to active ingredients.
It’s also ideal for those with genuinely sensitive skin who’ve tried retinol and couldn’t tolerate it. The bakuchiol delivers some similar benefits without the adjustment period that retinol requires.
For travel, the capsules are genuinely convenient. No worrying about TSA liquid limits or bottles leaking in your luggage.
However, if you’ve been using retinol successfully for years, this will feel like a step backward. And if you’re dealing with significant sun damage or deep wrinkles, you’ll need something more potent.
The Bottom Line
HKH’s Bakuchiol Retinol Serum surprised me by delivering on most of its promises at a price that seemed too good to be true. The capsule format shows genuine innovation in affordable skincare, and the formula is well-balanced for sensitive skin.
Is it the most powerful anti-aging serum I’ve tested? Absolutely not. But it’s one of the few budget options that provided visible results without irritation. For someone starting their anti-aging journey or looking for a gentler alternative to retinol, this offers legitimate value.
At $22.99, it’s worth trying if you fit the target profile. Just set realistic expectations—this is about preventing and softening early signs of aging, not reversing years of sun damage. For that goal, it succeeds admirably well.
The 4.8-star rating from nearly 100 reviews suggests I’m not alone in this assessment. Sometimes, a product simply works better than its price suggests it should. This is one of those rare cases.