The Outset Niacinamide + Bakuchiol Night Cream, 1.7 oz

A fragrance-free overnight treatment built around two of the most evidence-backed clean actives: niacinamide and bakuchiol. The formula delivers them in a rich but non-greasy cream that absorbs fully before sleep. One of the few night creams where the clinical rationale for the key actives is genuinely traceable — and where the bakuchiol concentration falls within the studied efficacy range.

A note on bakuchiol vs retinol, honestly stated. Bakuchiol is not a chemical cousin of retinol — it's a plant-derived compound that regulates skin cell behavior in a similar way, including supporting the appearance of firmer, smoother skin. A 2018 double-blind, 12-week clinical study found bakuchiol comparable to retinol in improving visible signs of photoaging and better tolerated. The important caveat: that study applied bakuchiol twice daily vs retinol once. If you can tolerate retinol, retinol still has the deeper research record. But for skin that cannot — due to pregnancy, sensitivity, rosacea, or personal choice — bakuchiol at the right concentration is the most credibly studied alternative available. This cream's estimated concentration (0.30-0.55%) is within the studied clinical range.

Why people use it

• Supports the appearance of smoother, more even, firmer-looking skin overnight with consistent use
• Niacinamide helps even skin tone, refine the appearance of pores, and support the barrier — among the most evidence-backed actives in skincare
• Safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding (no retinoids, no salicylates, no hydroquinone, no fragrance) — always confirm with your healthcare provider
• Rich but not heavy: absorbs fully; no transfer onto pillowcase
• Fragrance-free — no essential oils, no synthetic fragrance, genuinely unscented

What's inside

• Bakuchiol (~0.30-0.55%) – a plant-derived compound from Psoralea Corylifolia (Babchi) seeds; the most evidence-backed retinol alternative in clean beauty, with published clinical data supporting the appearance of reduced fine lines and improved skin tone at this concentration range
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) – one of skincare's most consistently proven actives; supports even skin tone, barrier function, and a more refined complexion appearance
• Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide (Hyaluroset™) – The Outset's botanical humectant complex; supports surface hydration and moisture retention
• Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil – high in GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), a fatty acid with published evidence for supporting barrier health in dry and atopic skin
• Sodium Hyaluronate + Saccharide Isomerate + Dextran – a trio of humectants providing multiple moisture-attraction and retention mechanisms
• Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2 – a peptide with evidence for supporting skin elasticity; complements bakuchiol's overnight renewal work
• Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract – a calming botanical with data for supporting a more even-looking complexion
• Vaccinium Myrtillus (Bilberry) + Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extracts – sources of natural AHA compounds that support gentle cumulative brightening

Good to know

• 1.7 fl oz / 50ml glass jar with pump-style airless mechanism — minimizes oxidation exposure
• Apply as the final step in your PM routine after serums; massage over face and neck in gentle upward strokes
• Can be used morning and evening, though PM is recommended for bakuchiol (sun sensitivity is lower than retinol, but PM use is still preferred)
• Fragrance-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, sulfate-free, vegan, cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny)
• Contains soybean oil (Glycine Soja) — relevant for soy sensitivities (topical)
• Glass jar with recyclable glass and FSC-certified paper carton; member of 1% for the Planet

Full ingredient list Water (Aqua/Eau), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Palmitate, Propanediol, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Myristyl Myristate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Hydrogenated Sunflower Seed Oil Glyceryl Esters, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Niacinamide, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Bakuchiol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugarcane) Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharide Isomerate, Dextran, Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Meristem Cell, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Hydroxide