Bakuchiol is a natural ingredient with similar benefits to those offered by retinoids without their photosensitive side effects.1 It’s made from seeds of Psoralea corylifolia (known as “babchi” in India).
Babchi is known for its skin-enhancing properties and also provides antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits, making it a great option for brands seeking an effective and sustainable alternative to retinoids.
Antioxidant
Psoralea corylifolia (babchi) seed oil contains many beneficial compounds that may provide skin and wellness support when used carefully under professional guidance, including psoralen – a furocoumarin with potential depigmenting properties – and bakuchiol – a meroterpene phenol with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.
The babchi plant has long been recognized for its anticoagulant properties that make it an effective remedy against snake and scorpion venom4. Furthermore, its anti-aging benefits also serve to address hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone – including its anticoagulant qualities that provide an effective defense against sun exposure5. Furthermore, as an aphrodisiac it promotes reproductive health while acting as an aphrodisiac; acts as an aphrodisiac; promotes fertility; acts as an aphrodisiac; promotes reproductive health; promotes reproductive health; has hepatoprotective properties to manage fatty liver disease5. Finally babchi seed oil can help manage hyperpigmentation; dark spots; as well as uneven skin tone conditions in this regard – as an anti-aging treatment!
Bakuchiol is an eco-friendly alternative to Retinol that does not increase sun sensitivity. Furthermore, unlike Retinol it does not require harvesting endangered plants for extraction – meaning that Bakuchiol can easily be added into skincare products without negatively affecting sustainability goals. Bakuchiol’s plant extract may be especially helpful for those suffering adrenal fatigue as it supports their body’s natural detoxifying and elimination processes of harmful toxins from their system.
Anti-inflammatory
Bakuchi has proven itself highly effective at relieving joint pains such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Furthermore, its highly nutritious properties help rejuvenate digestive systems – this means it is often prescribed for issues related to constipation, flatulence, indigestion or gastritis.
This plant extract provides an effective alternative to traditional retinol without its potentially severe side effects. It’s packed with an assortment of beneficial compounds that work together to promote skin health and wellness – including coumarins (particularly psoralen, which has potential depigmenting properties), flavonoids and essential fatty acids.
The Babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia), from which comes both Bakuchi oil and Bakuchiol, has long been used in Indian Ayurved medicine as it offers therapeutic advantages. One such application of its use involves treating vitiligo, an condition in which patches of pigmentation on skin lose pigmentation over time; its seeds and leaves contain anti-inflammatory compounds which help alleviate redness associated with this condition.
Antimicrobial
Psoralea corylifolia (babchi) seed oil has long been utilized as a treatment for skin conditions like vitiligo and leucoderma due to its depigmenting effects, as well as being found to possess antimicrobial properties.
Babchi essential oil demonstrated an effective range of inhibition against various microorganisms that was comparable to standard streptomycin drug treatment, according to this study. Furthermore, BEO microsponges developed from this preparation exhibited enhanced UV-degradation protection as illustrated by Figure 6.
This research was funded by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar through their PURSE Program with grant number SR/PURSE/Phase2/40(G). Babchi oil was obtained from Pukhraj Herbals of Mandsaur in India while other materials such as ethyl cellulose, ethanol and acetone were purchased from Central Drug House New Delhi while potassium dihydrogen phosphate, polyvinyl alcohol dichloromethane etc were purchased from SD Fine Chemicals Limited Mumbai India; their FTIR spectra to detect characteristic bands while blank microsponges loaded with Babchi oil were recorded as well.
Anti-aging
Bakuchiol boasts multiple anti-aging benefits that may prove useful in cosmetic formulations, including its potential ability to reduce pigmentation, dark spots and uneven skin tone; fine lines and wrinkles as well as their associated symptoms may all benefit.
Bakuchiol offers powerful hydration and moisturizing benefits that are vital to maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Bakuchiol’s natural affinity with skin makes it safe to use on all skin types – even sensitive ones – and it can even be combined with other active ingredients for added benefit.
Psoralea corylifolia, commonly referred to as babchi, is an evergreen perennial plant found throughout the world that has long been revered for its healing properties and harvested using ethical and sustainable harvest practices.
While babchi seed oil contains a wide array of potentially beneficial phytochemicals such as coumarins and flavonoids, it cannot be considered a pure source of bakuchiol as its extraction process requires molecular extraction methods.
