Retinol and retinoids have been all the rage for the past couple of years, but man-made retinol and retinoids tend to be harsh on the skin. So, here at Rejuvaskin, we’ve been on the hunt for all-natural, gentle retinoid alternatives. One of the best we’ve found is known as “bakuchiol.”
In this blog, we’re going to take a look at what bakuchiol is, and answer some critical questions: where does bakuchiol come from, what does bakuchiol do for your skin, and is bakuchiol better than retinol?
What Is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a retinoid alternative that is derived from all-natural plant ingredients. It’s a fantastic skincare ingredient because its source is easily identifiable and 100% vegan and cruelty-free. This makes it a very desirable alternative to the man-made chemical retinoids and retinol out there today.
Where Does Bakuchiol Come From?
This skincare ingredient is extracted from the seeds of the babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia). Interestingly enough, this plant has been used for many years in alternative medicine. The babchi plant grows in the plains of India and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for a very long time. Other parts of the babchi plant can be used for a host of different conditions, including:
- Leukoderma
- Vitiligo
- Inflammatory diseases
- Dermatitis
- Boils & skin lesions
- Eczema
- Ringworm
- Dermatosis
- Scabies
- And much more
Another interesting fact about this plant is that every single part of the plant is useful in some type of alternative medicine. Essential oils from the babchi plant have even successfully been used as an antibacterial ointment to kill microbes like Staphylococcus, Microsporium, Candida, E. coli, and more.
What Does Bakuchiol Do For Your Skin?
Just like retinol and retinoids, bakuchiol signals collagen production in the skin and appears to help with diminishing lines and wrinkles. This retinol alternative is much more gentle on the skin, making it a great choice for people with sensitive skin, acne, and those that struggle with hyperpigmentation. A new preliminary study showed that bakuchiol may even have promise as an acne treatment.
Is Bakuchiol Better Than Retinol?
While “better” is a subjective term, bakuchiol has shown amazing promise in rivaling even retinoid products. If you recall our previous post, you’ll remember that retinoids are incredibly strong and usually require a prescription. The fact that bakuchiol can come close to this without the harsh side effects is quite groundbreaking indeed. So, while retinol is more comparable to bakuchiol (as far as side effects goes), it appears that bakuchiol has better strength.
Is Bakuchiol In Rejuvaskin Products?
Here at Rejuvaskin, we love naturally-derived, plant-based ingredients that are gentle on the skin! This is why we include bakuchiol in our proprietary blend of alternative retinoids, known as the Tri-RetinX Complex. This blend is included in our Retinoid Face Serum and our Retinoid Eye Cream. In our blend of retinoid alternatives, we also include HPR and sea fennel – which we will cover in future posts! (So stay tuned!)