Retinol is all the rage in the skincare community, and rightfully so. It is known for helping with fine lines and wrinkles while also stimulating collagen. Everything from lotion to serum brags of being made from this ingredient.
Unfortunately, it can also be a bit harsh for some people and irritate their skin. If you are included in this group, then bakuchiol may be your new best friend.
Bakuchiol is an extract from the babchi plant which has been used in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for quite some time. There have not been a lot of studies done on bakuchiol, but the few that have been done show a lot of promise.
Bakuchiol, just like retinol, stimulates collagen and diminishes aging. It can help even skin tone by lessening the appearance of dark spots. The British Journal of Dermatology ran a study where they were able to test retinol against bakuchiol by having two groups using each for the same time. Both groups reported similar results, but the group not using retinol reported less irritation.
Bakuchiol has a few other benefits over retinol. Unlike retinol, you can continue to use a lot of different products without having to worry about a conflict. It has antibacterial properties useful for oily or acne-prone skin. Retinol products need to be used with caution if you will be exposed to sunlight; bakuchiol does not have this same effect.
If you’re interested in giving bakuchiol a try, these are our favorites:
The Inkey List – Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Moisturizer (Click Here): Besides bakuchiol, this lightweight cream has squalane and sacha inchi oil to really hydrate the skin.
Herbivore – Bakuchiol Serum (Click Here): All you need is 4-6 drops of this before applying your moisturizer to smooth out those fine lines.