Retinol remains the gold standard of over-the-counter anti-ageing ingredients, but plenty of people cannot use it. It can cause stinging, peeling and redness, it is generally avoided during pregnancy, and some skin simply never adjusts. Bakuchiol, a compound from the seeds of the babchi plant, has become the most popular alternative. Yepoda's The Glow Hero, launched at the end of 2021, puts bakuchiol into an oil-serum hybrid. The current version of the formula has just ten ingredients, and bakuchiol is fourth, which is a refreshingly prominent position.
Yepoda, the Berlin brand founded in 2020 with Korean-made formulas, is in the middle of reformulating this product. Its site lists two ingredient lists and says customers may receive either, with the same feel, scent and efficacy. The older version is led by macadamia oil and includes Yepoda's signature blend of turmeric, neem, holy basil and other botanicals. The newer version, reviewed here, is simpler: jojoba oil, macadamia oil, squalane, bakuchiol, bisabolol, chamomile flower oil, lactobacillus ferment lysate, sunflower oil, caprylic/capric triglyceride and Lithospermum root extract. Bakuchiol is fourth in both.
Bakuchiol's evidence is better than many botanical actives. In a randomised, double-blind trial published in 2019, 0.5% bakuchiol cream applied twice daily for 12 weeks produced improvements in wrinkles and hyperpigmentation similar to 0.5% retinol, with less scaling and stinging. That is one study, and more research is needed, but it gives bakuchiol a credible foundation. Yepoda does not disclose the concentration in The Glow Hero. In a ten-ingredient oil, fourth place suggests an amount in a reasonable range, but buyers cannot be sure it matches the trial.
The oil base is well chosen. Jojoba, a liquid wax ester similar to human sebum, is light and generally well tolerated. Macadamia oil, rich in palmitoleic acid, adds a nourishing feel. Squalane is stable and non-greasy. Sunflower oil and caprylic/capric triglyceride lighten the texture further. The result absorbs within a few minutes and leaves a soft glow rather than a slick, which reviewers frequently praise.
Bisabolol, the calming compound found in chamomile, and chamomile flower oil itself add soothing properties that complement bakuchiol's gentle profile. Lactobacillus ferment lysate contributes a small conditioning element. The oil's pink colour comes from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, purple gromwell root, a traditional East Asian botanical whose natural red pigments, shikonins, have anti-inflammatory activity in laboratory studies.
The formula is free of added fragrance, but chamomile oil gives a faint herbal scent and belongs to the daisy family, which matters for people with that allergy. Macadamia is a tree nut, worth noting for those with nut allergies. Otherwise, the ingredient list is short and gentle, which is good news for sensitive skin.
In use, three or four drops are enough for the face. The oil can be pressed over water-based serums, mixed into moisturizer or used on its own on drier skin. It works morning or night. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is not known to increase sun sensitivity, but sunscreen remains essential for anyone concerned about ageing, since UV exposure drives most visible changes. Reviewers describe an instant healthy glow and comfortable, supple skin, and those with sensitive skin appreciate the lack of irritation.
The limitations are about skin type and expectations. Oily and acne-prone skin may find even a light oil too much, though a drop or two mixed into a gel moisturizer can work. The oils make it unsuitable for fungal acne. And as with any anti-ageing product, results on fine lines and texture, where they occur, take about 12 weeks of consistent use. The glow is immediate; the anti-ageing benefits are gradual and modest.
Where it fits in a routine depends on what else you use. For someone with no other anti-ageing active, The Glow Hero can be the single treatment step, used morning and night under sunscreen. For someone already using a prescription retinoid, it is better treated as a nourishing oil on alternate nights, or as a buffer applied before the retinoid on sensitive areas such as around the mouth. And for people pairing it with vitamin C in the morning, applying the water-based serum first and the oil on top keeps both working as intended.
The reformulation is worth flagging. Two different ingredient lists circulating at once is not unusual during a changeover, but it means buyers cannot be certain which version they will receive, and people avoiding particular ingredients should check the label on arrival.
At $32 for 30 ml on Yepoda's US store, with an $18 mini, The Glow Hero is reasonably priced for a bakuchiol oil with a short, clean formula. A bottle lasts two to three months. Yepoda is an established brand without published efficacy studies, so the value rests on bakuchiol's evidence and a sensible formula.
The Glow Hero is a well-made option for dry, normal and sensitive skin that wants a gentle anti-ageing step and an instant glow without retinol. It is particularly appealing for people who have struggled with retinoid irritation or want a pregnancy-friendly alternative. Just accept that its results build slowly and that, without a disclosed concentration, it is difficult to compare directly with the clinical evidence.
