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.
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.
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.
