Bakuchiol Benefits, Uses & Why It's The Gentle Alternative

With the clean beauty movement having picked heat over the last decade or so, the industry has been abuzz with plant-derived powerhouses that claim to give their chemical counterparts a run for their money.

One such plant extract, referred to as bakuchiol (pronounced bak-ooh-chi-ol), has been touted as a natural, potent alternative to retinol, which occurs naturally in the seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia mostly found in the Indian and South East Asian parts of the world. The wonder ingredient is also found in the ancient Ayurvedic and Chinese scriptures as a healing and rejuvenating medicine use – boasting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that make it an essential component in cosmetic formulations.

Bakuchiol vs. Retinol

So, to answer your burning question, while the two lend similar benefits to your skin, their dissimilarities may compel you to pick one over the other. Known to boost type I, III, and IV collagen in the skin, both bakuchiol and retinol work to improve fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, elasticity, and firmness. However, retinol is harsher on your skin and can cause excessive dryness, peeling, and skin irritation. Retinol is also a weaker version of the retinoid compound and thus has a low potency level when it comes to restoring your skin and increasing cell turnover. Bakuchiol, on the other hand, is a potent and natural ingredient derived from plants that offer effective results without sensitivity.

Benefits Of Bakuchiol

Works For All Skin Types: This compound is suitable for dry, sensitive, oily, and combination skin – without the skin irritation that often results from the consistent use of retinol-infused products.

Can Be Layered With Beneficial Ingredients: Bakuchiol can be paired with vitamin C and acids in creams and serums. Plus, it doesn’t make your skin photo-sensitive and can be applied in daylight too. However, if there is one thing you shouldn’t pair bakuchiol with is an acid peel, as they can overwhelm your skin due to over-stimulation and lead to burns or rashes.

Curbs Acne: The antioxidants in bakuchiol help curtail 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that can be held responsible for sebum overproduction, and also limit the growth of other acne-causing bacteria.

Diminishes Hyperpigmentation: The magic ingredient is also known to minimise dark spots and pigmentation, giving way to a healthy, even skin tone.

Halts Premature Ageing: Owing to its collagen-boosting capacities, bakuchiol dwindles the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin elasticity and firmness.

Helps Heal And Soothe Skin: Bakuchiol offers anti-inflammatory benefits, which makes it ideal for calming redness and soothing irritated skin.

Potential Side Effects Of Bakuchiol

Although bakuchiol is a gentler alternative to retinoids and retinol, just like everything else on the planet, your skin could be allergic to this otherwise potent ingredient. If you are new to the ingredient, try incorporating it slowly into your routine. Begin by using it twice or thrice a week and if your skin starts adopting it without any allergic reactions, then you can increase the frequency and use it once every day in your PM routine.

Bakuchiol's side effects include redness, flared skin, inflamed skin, rashes, and burns, but they can also appear when you start using a new ingredient, if the condition persists immediately stop using it and consult a dermatologist.

Ideally, pregnant women and children under the age of sixteen should avoid using it. Pregnant women are often a whole other species when it comes to skincare ingredients and actives as we never know what may harm the unborn baby. Kids under the age of sixteen on the other hand, already have a strong cell turnover pace and process and don’t need an external ingredient as it can create a fake dependency.

What To Look For In A Bakuchiol Skin-Care Product

Here are a few things to consider before using bakuchiol for skin.

1. Formulation: You can find different kinds of bakuchiol-infused products such as serums, moisturisers, face peels, and face masks. Consider the kind of result you need before investing in the right product. Serums are usually lightweight and are worn on bare skin for the products to seep in, moisturisers on the other hand, are heavier and lay on top of your skin, slowly entering your skin cells. Face peel is the strongest way you can incorporate bakuchiol but it also has side effects that may or may not work in your favour.

2. Combination: Bakuchiol benefits for skin may include other ingredients such as retinol to increase the process of cell turnover, or squalane to hydrate your skin simultaneously. Depending on the concentration, you can choose products that suit your skin. If you are a beginner, we recommend choosing a lighter concentration for your skin to adapt to the formulation slowly.

3. Ingredient: Just because your product is made of Psoralea corylifolia plant extracts, it doesn’t mean that your product has bakuchiol. Bakuchi oil and powder, and babchi oil and powder are all made of the base ingredient – Psoralea corylifolia, which is low on potency, so make sure your ingredient list specifically mentions bakuchiol.

How to Add Bakuchiol to Your Skin-Care Routine

If you follow a very minimal CSMS routine in the morning, then you can use a cleanser first and then follow it up with a bakuchiol-infused serum. Follow this up with a moisturiser and sunscreen. If you want you can also apply a thin layer of moisturiser before applying the serum to make sure it doesn’t burn your skin as a first-time user. If you are applying it at night you can skip the sunscreen but make sure to apply a night cream to lock in the bakuchiol benefits for skin. Once your skin gets used to it, you can apply a bakuchiol serum twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

Bakuchiol-Infused Products To Add To Your Skincare Regime

Bakuchiol-Infused Serum

Fitting in your night routine, revel in the goodness of retinol, squalane, and tripeptide complex, along with amla and saffron, with inde wild’s Sunset Restore Serum that promises overnight restoration and rejuvenation.

Bakuchiol-Infused Face Wash

Detoxify and deeply cleanse your skin with Quench Botanics Matcha Better Skin Detox Gel Face Wash, boasting matcha green tea, bakuchiol, chamomile, and mandarin orange peel oil, which are power-packed with antioxidants and super-gentle on your skin.

Bakuchiol-Infused Eye Serum

Depuff and brighten tired-looking eyes with the Wishful Eye Lift & Contour 1% Bakuchiol & Peptide Serum Refill. The dermatologist-approved formulation is 98% naturally derived, vegan, and fragrance-free, too.

Bakuchiol-Infused Night Cream

This one’s worth the splurge if you’re looking to strengthen your skin barrier and boost firmness and elasticity. Harnessing the power of 13 antioxidants, 14 botanical extracts, and 4 active ingredients, Ras’ Super Recharge Night Cream moisturises and smoothens your epidermis—giving way to flawless, radiant skin.

Bakuchiol-Infused Face Emulsion

This day-and-night formulation is imbued with bakuchiol and niacinamide for the reduced appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discolouration. Plus, consistent application promises plump, smooth skin, and improved texture.

Bakuchiol-Infused Face Oil

Replenishment, rejuvenation, and skin revival are just one product away! Formulated with 100% certified organic bakuchiol, Lotus Organics’ Bakuchiol Plant Retinol Miracle Facial Oil will stimulate your skin renewal process in an instant.

Parting Thoughts

Bakuchiol is a great natural alternative to retinol as they are extracted from plant-based derivatives instead of manufactured chemicals. Bakuchiol benefits our skin in numerous ways including but not limited to cell turnover, skin regeneration, curbing of signs of ageing, and calming skin irritation. The best part, unlike retinol, you can club this ingredient with other actives as the concentration is just as effective as it is fluid for collaboration.

FAQs

1. What is Bakuchiol?

   The Psoralea corylifolia plant's leaves and seeds contain bakuchiol, this ingredient has a strong and calming impact on skin, it is also a strong antioxidant, and notably lessens skin discolourations caused by exposure to the environment. Recent studies have shown that topical administration offers special advantages for all skin types.

2. What are some bakuchiol benefits for the skin?

   Here are some benefits of bakuchiol for the skin:

   • Reduces hyperpigmentation
   • Minimises Acne
   • Evens out skin tone
   • Suitable for all skin types
   • Diminishes signs of ageing

3. What does bakuchiol do?

   The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of bakuchiol help reduce puffiness, acne, uneven skin tone, and signs of ageing.

4. What are some good bakuchiol serums?

   Here are some bakuchiol serums to try:

   • Plum 1% Retinol Anti-Aging Face Serum
   • inde wild 1% Bakuchiol + 0.5% Tripeptide Restore PM Serum
   • Orimii No Retinol Anti Ageing 1% Bakuchiol Face Serum
   • Forest Essentials Concentrate Bakuchiol
   • Wishcare Pro Collagen 2% Retinol Serum

5. When should I start using bakuchiol?

   You can start using bakuchiol in your mid-20s, your skin heals faster when you are younger, and slowly reduces the pace of cell turnover and collagen production as you age. Incorporating bakuchiol in your 20s can help you fight early signs of ageing and help you get radiant, flawless skin.