Bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol, has quickly gained prominence within the clean beauty scene. This versatile ingredient helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and hyperpimentation with much lower irritation than its more well-known competitor retinol.
Research demonstrates it can also improve self-grading of skin tone and elasticity while diminishing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Reduces Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Retinoids are dermatologists’ go-to solution for treating fine lines and wrinkles, yet can sometimes cause dryness, flaking and sun sensitivity. Bakuchiol provides an all-natural option with similar skin-soothing benefits without the risk of irritation.
Add Bakuchiol to your skincare routine easily: simply search for formulas designed specifically to treat and replenish your skin type, then apply with sunscreen during the daytime.
Anti-Aging
Bakuchiol is an all-natural anti-aging ingredient, working by stimulating healthy cell turnover. This can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase skin firmness and elasticity, as well as even out skin tone.
Treatment studies showed it to be just as effective in improving elasticity, firmness and photodamage reduction as retinol without its common side effects. Thomas suggests using it in combination with other hydrating ingredients like squalane for best results.
Antioxidant
Bakuchiol is an all-natural antioxidant that reduces UV radiation exposure to skin, helping even out skin tone while soothing redness and irritation.
Bakuchiol’s antioxidant properties are enhanced when taken together with vitamin C, but care must be taken not to induce metabolic toxicity. Extensive research must be conducted into non-toxic extraction methods and other factors which might have an impact on its safety.
Anti-Inflammatory
Bakuchiol works to soothe inflammation by soothing skin and reducing redness, as well as fade dark spots, improve skin tone and decrease photodamage.
Bakuchiol can be safely used on most skin types, though for maximum effectiveness it should be combined with ingredients that won’t irritate such as benzoyl peroxide, retinoids or highly concentrated vitamin C serums. Instead, incorporate Bakuchiol into your morning and evening skincare regime along with other gentle actives for best results.
Anti-Bacterial
Bakuchiol has proven itself a serious contender to retinol due to its ability to effectively target fine lines and wrinkles while simultaneously smoothening skin tone. Plus, it’s much gentler, making it an excellent solution for people with sensitive skin.
Bakuchiol, an all-natural meroterpene derived from Psoralea corylifolia seeds, has been found to effectively combat photoaging, fade dark spots and soothe redness. Studies have also proven its efficacy at reducing photoageing.
Anti-Microbial
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound that acts like a gentler alternative to retinol in helping fade dark spots, even skin tone, and reduce signs of aging without irritation.
Evidence indicates that antimicrobial treatment has significant protective benefits against noncommunicable diseases.
Bakuchiol also exhibits antimicrobial properties that help fight infections caused by bacteria. It works by disrupting cell membranes of bacteria strains and hindering DNA replication, ultimately eliminating infections caused by these microbes.
Anti-Hyperpigmentation
Bakuchiol has been found to block the enzyme activity of acetyl coenzyme A, thus preventing its conversion to superoxide radicals and decreasing cell damage.
Retinol can also be more stable and gentler on skin, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin.
Combining it with products containing hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C and ceramides is an ideal combination; however, other active ingredients which could potentially cause irritation should be avoided.
Anti-Dandruff
Bakuchiol is a natural anti-dandruff ingredient that works by soothing your scalp. Additionally, its use helps reduce signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation on your skin.
Look for products containing bakuchiol as part of your skincare routine and use it both morning and night for optimal results within four to six weeks, though results will depend on your skin type and concentration of bakuchiol in each product.
Anti-Irritation
Bakuchiol is a natural plant extract with anti-irritation properties that’s less likely to cause redness or peeling than traditional retinoids, making it suitable for all skin types and conditions.
One study published in the British Journal of Dermatology demonstrated that, after just 12 weeks of use, Bakuchiol significantly reduced lines and wrinkles as well as improved pigmentation, elasticity, firmness, sensitivity to sunlight and firmness of your skin. Plus it may lessen sun sensitivity – though you should always apply sunscreen!
Anti-Oxidant
Bakuchiol has shown significant promise as an antioxidant, being able to prevent oxidative damage in human skin cells while simultaneously decreasing acne lesions and hyperpigmentation.
Bakuchiol is a naturally-occurring prenylated phenolic isoprenoid with a chiral quaternary center found in Psoralea corylifolia seeds and exhibits competitive tyrosinase inhibitory activity with Ki values as high as 18.1 (104M-1s-1) in solution and 0.16 in micelles.
