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What is Bakuchiol? The Skincare Ingredient Everyone's Talking About
Bakuchiol has been an ingredient used in skincare for a while now, but recently it's been more talked about as an important one. Some people even call it a gentler retinol alternative. But what is bakuchiol, and is it really accurate to call it a retinol alternative? Read on to learn more.. What is Bakuchiol? Bakuchiol is a natural compound extracted from the seeds of the Psoralea Corylifolia plant, which produces the beautiful purple flower pictured below. The plant is native to Asia and has been used for centuries in Chinese and Indian medicine traditions. The Sanskrit name for the plant is "Bakuchi," and that's where bakuchiol gets its name. You can read more about bakuchiol and its historical usage here. What does Bakuchiol do for your skin? Bakuchiol has been isolated and researched for its potential medicinal properties since the 1970s, but has only made it's way into skincare within the last 20 years. Clinical studies have shown bakuchiol to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as an ability to minimize the appearance of signs of aging like hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. It can also help prevent pores clogging to prevent blemishes, and help restore a glowing, youthful appearance. If those benefits sound familiar, you may be starting to see why people are referring to it as a retinol alternative. Read more about how bakuchiol works and how it compares to retinol at the Cleveland Clinic Is Bakuchiol really a retinol alternative? Retinol, or Vitamin A, has a completely different chemical structure than bakuchiol, so you may initially think they'd have totally different benefits, but that isn't the case. While bakuchiol may not give you all of retinol's benefits and might not be as potent, it does produce many similar effects without the drawbacks of retinol, which can be too harsh for those with sensitive skin. For example, bakuchiol provides results with far less irritation than retinol. And, it does not make your skin more susceptible to sun damage the way retinol does (but that's not an excuse to skip the sunscreen, okay?) Some people are hesitant to call bakuchiol a retinol alternative because it isn't an exact 1:1 replacement, and that's true. However, the benefits are similar enough to make it a valid analogue for people with sensitive skin to try using instead. It also appears in some retinol products as an added anti-aging boost, so you don't have to see it as one or the other-- use both together! Best products with Bakuchiol Allies of Skin CE15 Bakuchiol Firming Oil With 1% bakuchiol. this oil from Allies of Skin is the highest concentration we carry, in a formula that took 5 years and dozens of revisions to create. In addition to bakuchiol, it has vitamins C & E, botanical extracts, and 11 natural oils to soothe, hydrate, and nourish skin. This product is designed to not only firm skin, but smooth your complexion and keep it moisturized all day long. Revision Skincare DEJ Night Face Cream This fan-favorite (and Courtney's long time fave) is a gentle retinol that boosts its anti-aging effects with bakuchiol. Consider this as a great place to start with retinol if your skin is on the slightly sensitive side. It's an opportunity to get the famous effects of both retinol and bakuchiol, with a reduced risk of irritation. AnteAGE Eye Cream If you've been looking for a multi-tasking eye cream that does it all, give AnteAGE Eye Cream a try. This formula includes antioxidants, peptides, bakuchiol, brightening agents, and lipids to reduce the appearance of dark circles and fine lines, firm and smooth the under eye. Get multiple anti-aging effects in one non-irritating formula. NeoGenesis Volcanic Ash Mask This purifying mask can refine pores and draw out pollutants, while smoothing and hydrating skin. While kaolin clay and a blend of minerals and moisturizers do the bulk of the work here, bakuchiol is an important addition to the formula, contributing to a smoother, more youthful appearance. It's perfect for a weekly refresh, especially with blemish prone skin. iS Clinical Retinol Emulsion 0.3 iS Clinical's Retinol Emulsion is a perfect example of the next generation of retinoids that use new technology & ingredients to maximize results. 0.3 is a lower concentration, but because this is an encapsulated retinol that can better penetrate the skin, it's plenty potent. And, with bakuchiol added to optimize its benefits, this is a powerful retinol worth the time of even seasoned retinol users.
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What is Ectoin? A Trending Ingredient in Skincare
Odds are that you've seen Ectoin pop up in the ingredients lists of more skincare products recently. If you've ever wondered what it is and why it's good for your skin, this is the right place to be. What is Ectoin? Ectoin, also spelled "ectoine," is a resilient amino acid found in several species of bacteria that have evolved to survive in extreme environments. Ectoin plays an important protective role in these bacteria, helping them survive temperature extremes, sun damage, and fighting free radicals. What does Ectoin do in Skincare? You've probably already guessed how ectoin might be helpful for your skin, thanks to its protective properties. In skincare, ectoin helps to stabilize the proteins in your skin, improve its resilience, and even retain moisture. Because it's an amino acid, ectoin works well with many other skincare ingredients, and some experts even believe it works better in tandem with ingredients like retinol and vitamin c. That's why you'll see it in a variety of products like moisturizers, retinol serums, and more, as it can help skin defend itself against damage. [You can read more about ectoin in skincare at NBC News and Refinery 29.] Best Products with Ectoin Allies of Skin Copper Tripeptide & Ectoin Advanced Repair Serum One of the buzziest products on the market at the moment, this is one of the very best ectoin products too. With a naturally deep blue color from its copper peptides, and a silky smooth formulation, this powerhouse serum is as fun to apply as it is powerful. The dynamic duo of copper peptides and ection help heal skin damage, then protect skin from future damage, leading to overall improvement in the appearance of skin and signs of aging. Alastin Skincare C-Radical Defense Antioxidant Serum Alastin packed 15 antioxidants into this formula, so it's more well-rounded than your average Vitamin C serum. Speaking of vitamin C, this formula includes encapsulated Sodium Ascorbate for improved absorption and efficacy. Ectoin rounds it all out, adding bonus protection against damage from the sun and free radicals. iS Clinical Retinol Emulsion 0.3 At this point, everyone knows that retinol can provide incredible benefits to your skin, as it increases the rate of your skin cell turnover, leading to fewer blemishes, and fresher, younger-appearing skin. But, those benefits come at a cost, as retinol often causes irritation and makes skin more susceptible to sun damage. That's why new retinol formulas look for ways to reduce irritation and boost protection from the sun. To that end, iS Clinical's Retinol Emulsion uses an encapsulated form of retinol for improved absorption at a lower concentration, supported by antioxidants and ectoin to help soothe and protect skin from environmental damage. AnteAGE Moisturizer One of our best-selling moisturizers, this is a great pick for people with dry, mature skin. It's got a well-rounded formula with ceramides, peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid, designed to work with your skin's natural process to maintain hydration. The addition of ectoin creates an added benefit of protection from UV light, separating it from most moisturizers on the market.
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What are Ceramides? How they work in Skincare
They're everywhere, especially in moisturizers, but what are Ceramides, and what do they do for your skin? In this blog, we explore their natural role in skin health and how including ceramide rich skincare products can help repair your skin barrier.
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