Retinol is an invaluable asset to any skincare regimen, helping smooth fine lines and brighten skin tone, but its harsh nature can cause redness, peeling, and irritation if taken at too high a dosage. As such, many customers are seeking gentle alternatives which will get them the results they want without experiencing unpleasant side effects.
1. Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol (pronounced buh-koo-chee-all) has made waves in anti-ageing skincare due to its rejuvenating properties. Derived from Psoralea corylifolia seeds commonly known as the Babchi Plant, Bakuchiol helps boost natural elasticity and firmness while upping turnover rates while visibly reducing fine lines, improving texture, and evening out skin tone.
Comparative to more widely studied retinoids, research shows that bakuchiol effectively addresses fine lines and other signs of aging while producing less irritation or peeling. Plus, its gentle formulation makes it suitable for sensitive skin and complements other active ingredients nicely.
To add this nourishing oil into your routine, look for lightweight serums, creams, or oils containing bakuchiol to use twice daily on clean skin. Additionally, adding it along with retinol in the morning on sun-exposed areas helps stabilize and preserve its effects longer; just remember to use broad spectrum sunscreen every day!
2. Niacinamide
Niacinamide (also referred to as nicotinamide) is one of the B vitamins (vitamin B-3). It’s one of the key tools for combatting acne and eczema by changing tryptophan into niacinamide inside your body, providing excellent antioxidant benefits and increasing cellular energy – creating firm and plump skin!
Niacinamide can be found in numerous skin care products and is generally safe for most individuals. It helps brighten complexion, fade dark spots caused by melasma or sun damage, decrease wrinkles and fine lines as well as soothe irritation by providing essential hydration to skin cells and helping hydrate it with oxygen; in addition it’s safe when combined with exfoliating acids like glycolic acid to provide added exfoliation benefits.
Dermatologists advise using niacinamide only at night as it may cause redness and peeling in some people. Retinol should also be avoided in cases of rosacea, eczema or any skin conditions which flare up, since retinoids increase levels of vitamin A in your blood and could potentially lead to fetal retinoid syndrome if taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
3. Bidens Pilosa
For those who can’t tolerate how retinol makes skin look (and feel), alternatives like bidens pilosa may provide similar anti-ageing effects without all the peeling, redness and sun sensitivity associated with traditional treatments like Retin A. This weed-like plant, also known as black jack or picao Preto (in Portuguese), grows sustainably across tropical and subtropical regions and harvests its oil to use as an ingredient in skincare products by many brands.
As an effective alternative to retinol, vitamin C-rich leaves of this plant provide essential retinol-like benefits that boost collagen production and keep the skin barrier strong. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to improve fine lines, scars, pigmentation, fine lines and pigmentation is well known. As it’s easily mixed into serums, moisturizers and masks (Evolve’s Gold Mask is a good example), its use makes this an easy addition. Beyond skincare benefits it also has several additional health advantages beyond skin health such as treating wounds as well as helping with combatting symptoms associated with diabetes.
4. Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot Seed Oil, extracted from Daucus carota sativa seeds not listed on the IUCN Red List, has long been prized as a skincare treatment due to its nourishing, anti-ageing and skin-clarifying benefits. Packed with Vitamin A it encourages cell renewal to give way to fresher-looking skin while its omegas 3, 6 and 9 content help improve tone, elasticity and texture for improved complexions.
This ingredient also has anti-fungal properties that may prove helpful if you are experiencing eczema as it helps combat Staphylococcus bacteria that causes inflammation and redness. Try applying it as spot treatments or adding it into your moisturizer for maximum benefit.
Retinol and carrot seed oil both offer benefits to smooth out fine lines, though retinol may be more effective due to its collagen-boosting capabilities. For an alternative, gentler approach try babuchiol or rambutan.
