Dubbed a ‘Holy Grail’ ingredient and a new skincare sensation, bakuchiol has become something of a beauty buzzword. It has gained serious traction to break beyond the realms of the natural beauty community and make its way into the mainstream. We delve into the benefits of bakuchiol and how this powerful plant-based retinol alternative can work for your complexion and explore why it is such a valuable addition to any daily skincare regimen.
What is Bakuchiol?
Derived from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, bakuchiol is an antioxidant that also has a soothing feel on the skin. The use of bakuchiol on the skin has its origins in Ayurvedic medicine. It has a long history of traditional use in skincare.
It is often described as a plant-based alternative to retinol – a 12-week study by Dhaliwal et al. (2019) found that bakuchiol was comparable with retinol in improving visible signs of photoageing, such as fine lines and uneven pigmentation. This may be because its activity profile – the way it acts upon our skin cells – shares many common features with retinol, but excitingly, a further 2022 study by Bluemke et al. found in laboratory testing that bakuchiol has additional ‘biopositive effects’. In skincare terms, this suggests promise for helping skin look smoother and more radiant. Overall, the laboratory study concluded that there is strong evidence ‘for the multidirectional efficacy of bakuchiol against cellular hallmarks of skin ageing.’ (Bluemke et al., 2022)
Are The Benefits of Bakuchiol Available to Anyone?
Bakuchiol is generally well tolerated and is often chosen by people with more sensitive skin. Studies have reported that, ‘Notably, bakuchiol does not cause common adverse effects seen with topical retinoids such as burning and scaling, permitting wider use in patients with sensitive skin.’ (Greenzaid et al., 2022). Formulas containing bakuchiol are gentle enough for daily use, whereas retinol products are often introduced gradually, a few times a week.
What Other Ingredients Can Be Used to Optimise The Benefits of Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol works well alongside other skincare ingredients, especially antioxidants such as Co-Enzyme Q10. A naturally occurring antioxidant compound found in the body, CoQ10 is a popular skincare ingredient for helping skin look healthy and glowing. A favourite in skincare formulations for many years, CoQ10 pairs well with bakuchiol. Together, these antioxidants help support healthy, youthful-looking skin and help defend it against everyday environmental stressors such as pollution.
Conclusion
Bakuchiol is a gentle, natural skincare ingredient that makes a great addition to a clean beauty routine.
The benefits of bakuchiol relate to its potential to help with a range of skin concerns, particularly visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and uneven tone. It also works well alongside other natural ingredients, such as CoQ10.
It suits most skin types, making it a good choice for those who find other facial skincare products too harsh. However, we always recommend testing before using any new product, as individual results can vary.
References
Bluemke A, Ring AP, Immeyer J, Hoff A, Eisenberg T, Gerwat W, et al. Multidirectional activity of bakuchiol against cellular mechanisms of facial ageing – Experimental evidence for a holistic treatment approach. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2022;44:377–393. doi:10.1111/ics.12784
Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, Notay M, Trivedi M, Burney W, Vaughn AR, Nguyen M, Reiter P, Bosanac S, Yan H, Foolad N, Sivamani RK. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol. 2019 Feb;180(2):289-296. doi: 10.1111/bjd.16918. Epub 2018 Sep 21. PMID: 29947134.
Greenzaid J, Friedman A, Sodha P. The Use of Bakuchiol in Dermatology: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Jun 1;21(6):624-629. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6740. PMID: 35674758.
