Bakuchiol; What Is It & Why We Love It
Retinol (Vitamin A) has been a fan fave among skincare aficionados for years now and the hype is real. Retinoids work by prompting surface skin cells to turn over and die, making way for new cell growth. They hamper the breakdown of collagen and thicken the deeper layer of skin where wrinkles get their start.
If Retinol is so amazing, why don't we use it?
Well, first it's well known to cause irritation for many people. Redness, stinging, and flaking are a few common side effects. Retinol also makes your skin more sensitive to sun exposure, not fun in summer. Retinol is also not recommended for use by pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, which is a bit concerning. We choose to use ingredients that are suitable for those with sensitive skin, so this one doesn't fit our ingredient philosophy. It's also not a natural ingredient. So instead we made a Bakuchiol Active Serum.
What is Bakuchiol?
For a few years now we’ve been looking for a natural ingredient that can pack the same anti-ageing punch as Retinol without the negative side effects. Pronounced "bah-koo-chee-all", this plant-based alternative is derived from the Babchi Herb and comes with some impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Bakuchiol - better than Retinol?
Clinical studies have found that when it comes to increasing collagen production and speeding up skin cell renewal, Bakuchiol is just as effective as, if not better than Retinol. A few supporting studies below:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29947134/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24471735/
While its a newbie in the cosmetic world, Bakuchiol has actually been used in Chinese practices for centuries to help heal wounded skin. We can see why it's earned the moniker of “plant-based Retinol”.
Why did we have to have it?
First of all, we want to say that there's nothing wrong with ageing skin! It's natural and inevitable and a few laughter lines just mean you're living a good life. But, there's also nothing wrong with taking care of your skin and using ingredients that help slow down the ageing clock. That's why anti-aging products are so popular, and while Retinol is a popular option for a good reason, it also comes with a hefty price tag.
What else? Tell me more
Bakuchiol not only has the science behind it, but it's also natural, gentle, non-irritating, and suitable for all skin types. Yes, you heard that right. What else you ask? It gets extra points for being safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding. We're sure moms-to-be will love that.
Mom-to-be Monika Rad tells us why she loves our Bakuchiol serum.
Other than Bakuchiol’s impressive CV, there’s more to our silky serum than one superstar ingredient. We’ve packed our Bakuchiol Active Serum with other A-team of skin soothers like Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, and Natural Vitamin E, to name a few. You won’t miss Retinol anymore.
How to use it in your daily routine.
Our Bakuchiol Active Serum is much more easy-going than Retinol and can be used daily either morning or at night. Because its a serum, it should be applied to damp, clean skin and once it's soaked into the skin, follow with your favourite moisturiser - we make a few :)