Many skin types cannot tolerate retinol, particularly those suffering from rosacea, eczema or having an impaired barrier function. Bakuchiol offers a gentle alternative that boosts collagen, promotes cell turnover and lightens pigmentation without irritating the skin.
Heejin Koh, a board-certified dermatologist, notes that Korean skincare prioritizes gentle yet soothing ingredients in her serum that contains bakuchiol, orchid stem cells, peptides to even tone, and plant proteins for hydrating the complexion.
1. Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol (pronounced buh-koo-chee-owl) is a plant extract which stimulates collagen growth to decrease fine lines, redness, hyperpigmentation, sagging skin, fine lines, redness and hyperpigmentation while protecting against free radical damage. Furthermore, it acts as an antioxidant protecting against free radical damage – making it an excellent option for those unable to use traditional retinoids or experiencing irritation from traditional retinols.
Bakuchiol, a botanical ingredient derived from the seeds of the Babchi plant, is also safe and gentle enough to use on the scalp and may help alleviate any associated itches or discomfort. With a natural, soothing fragrance derived from its seeds, bakuchiol provides soothing relief.
Bakuchiol can be combined with vitamin C to maximize its anti-aging benefits, as well as other nourishing ingredients like moisture-binding betaine and glycerin for maximum effect. You can include it into your skincare routine every day – just remember to do a patch test on the inside of your elbow first to ensure there’s no irritation; start off slowly by applying it two or three nights each week until gradually transitioning to daily usage.
2. Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid is a skin-friendly dicarboxylic acid that effectively treats rosacea, acne and hyperpigmentation like melasma. Its antibacterial and bacteriostatic effects help stop Propionibacterium acnes (which causes acne), while also providing anti-inflammatory relief and preventing the darkening of pigment cells – making it suitable for treating post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation as well.
Though it has a more subtle exfoliating effect than retinol, azelaic acid still provides significant skin improvements by improving texture and smoothness as well as helping reduce redness caused by rosacea. Just like glycolic and salicylic acids (both hydroxy acids), azelaic acid also exfoliates gently while being safer for sensitive skin types than these ingredients.
Azelaic acid can be found in many skincare products, like this serum that combines it with bakuchiol to target wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone and texture. Formulated with soothing cica and brightening peptides – making this an excellent alternative to using retinol due to sensitivities or pregnancy and breastfeeding restrictions – it provides effective results.
3. Phytessence Wakame
Phytessence Wakame is a lesser-known ingredient found in anti-aging products. It’s an extract from Japanese seaweed called wakame that has long been consumed as part of daily diet and medicine by generations of Japanese women, helping to diminish fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin tone texture and even out pigmentation issues. Studies have confirmed this promise.
Wakame contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals for skin health, including B-group vitamins, iron, calcium and antioxidants. Furthermore, it blocks an enzymatic reaction which breaks down one of your skin’s natural proteins called hyaluronic acid, which diminishes with age; hence keeping its integrity is crucial to keeping youthful looking skin.
Phytessence Wakame is an ideal alternative to high-strength retinol that may cause irritation. Studies have demonstrated its efficacy at smoothing away fine lines and wrinkles while providing essential hydration. Furthermore, melanin production (the cause of dark spots) was decreased – making Phytessence Wakame an excellent retinol replacement that also treats hyperpigmentation, improves tone/texture improvements, and can even help protect from sun damage!
4. Rosemary Extract
Rosemary Extract (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an all-natural retinol alternative that features anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, along with stimulating collagen production for firmer skin, shrinking pore size and evening out skin tone. Gentle enough for sensitive skin types and can even reduce flaking of the scalp.
Rosemary boasts powerful diterpene compounds rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid as well as flavonoids which have proven analgesic and neuroprotective properties, according to a 2020 study.
NovoRetin, an ingredient derived from the mastic tree, makes for an effective retinol alternative. This water-soluble antioxidant does not cause photosensitivity and has excellent stability; studies have demonstrated its effects to increase availability of retinoic acid without adverse side effects associated with traditional retinoids such as Retin-A. COSMOS has certified it and NATRUE has approved it – all the elements necessary for successful anti-aging. NovoRetin may deglycate crosslink proteins which contributes to degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and accelerate skin aging accelerated by Glycative stress leading to degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and accelerate skin aging accelerated by Glycative stress that leads to degradation of extracellular matrix proteins and accelerate skin aging; COSMOS has certified and NATRUE approved it’s presence while NATRUE approved users claim it deglycate AGE crosslink proteins inhibiting Glycative stress that accelerates skin aging; COSMOS has approved its benefits while NATRUE has approved its benefits by COSMOS/NATRUE approval while COSMOS has certified and NATRUE approved its effects without side effects. COSMOS certified NATRUE approved products while NATRUE approved to COSMOS certified and NATRUE approved products. COSMOS certified COSMOS certified and NATRUE approved it’s NATRUE approved its approved its effects are believed to deglycate crosslink proteins while inhibit glycative stress which leads to degradation which accelerates skin glycative stress leading to degradation that leads to degradation which leads to NATRUE approved it’s certified NATRUE approved that it appears in NATRUE approved products are believed by COSMOS certified NATRUE approved these are COSMOS certified NATRUE approved products may even further as COSMOS certified NATRUE approved NATRUE approved products may deglyca. COSMUS certified and NATRUE approved product may deglycate crosslink proteins deglyca therefore inhibiting GLYcarated crosslink proteins degrade extracellular matrix proteins accelerate skin glycaative stress which further accelerates skin glycative stress which leads to degradation which accelerate skin aging due to inhibition thus deglycacated from deglycaized further inhibit glyca glyca – decreasing further, NATRUE approved while it to degca thus further. NATRUTE approved as NATRURE approval since NATRURE are believed by NATRUTE approved thus deg AGE crosslink proteins inhibit GLYCA; COSMUS approved also inhibiting stress by inhibits so greatly
