Before the discovery of bakuchiol, retinol used to enjoy a near god-like status on all beauty care products associated with the elimination of fine lines, wrinkles, acne, skin smoothening, and collagen-stimulating abilities. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that speeds up your skin cell turn over leaving you with an even skin tone, texture, and radiance. Yet despite all these hypes of skincare success, retinol still has a downside. Most people experience dryness, inflammation, flaking, and redness on their skin when they use retinol products. Experts advise on the gradual introduction of all retinol products and slowly up your usage or create a barrier by applying a moisturizing cream first.
Bakuchiol vs Retinol
According to scientists, bakuchiol is a plant-based natural ingredient that has all the ‘magical’ skincare properties associated with retinol but gentler on the skin and without the harsh side effects. Bakuchiol is admired for all its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Bakuchiol is found from the seeds of the ‘babchi‘plant (Psoralea corylifolia).
Potential benefits of using bakuchiol for your skin
Bakuchiol is believed to improve on skin brightness and complexion; it sorts any uneven skin tone, minimizes all enlarged pores, enhances smooth texture, boosts firmness, and significantly reduces fine lines associated with aging.
Compared to retinol after 12 weeks of scientific studies, users from both sides reported a reduction in hyperpigmentation and wrinkles. However, retinol users also reported skin reactions related to scaling and itchiness.
Bakuchiol works by activating chemical pathways on your skin cells leading to more collagen production and significantly reducing the collagen breakdown and melanin reduction.
Bakuchiol is also gentle on all skin types and there are no reported cases of bakuchiol serum reacting negatively with the user’s skin.
Is bakuchiol safe to use for pregnant women?
There is no evidence to support any harmful effects bakuchiol has on pregnant women, deeming it safe. However, it should be used within the dermatologist’s care and advice. On the other hand, Retinol should completely be avoided by pregnant women. All forms of retinoid are harmful to your unborn baby if taken in huge doses during pregnancy. One should avoid all consumption of retinoid either taken orally (as pills) or topically on the skin, as they have been associated to bring complications during breastfeeding.
When do I start using bakuchiol skincare products?
There is no strict rule as to when to start because it is believed to be a safe skincare product. Bakuchiol is also safe to use at any time of the day or night. Unlike retinol which reacts harshly with the skin when exposed to UV rays, bakuchiol does not breakdown when the skin is exposed to sunlight.
Can bakuchiol be used in combination with other skincare products?
While some doctors have cautioned on cocktailing skin care products, dermatologists have found bakuchiol to be a safe product when mixed with other skincare products. This is unlike retinol which has been confirmed to pose serious skin irritation and inflammation when exposed to different chemical properties found in assorted skin products.
Most people who use retinol are often looking to reduce the fine lines associated with aging. If wrinkles are your only concern, then an effective anti-wrinkle cream can only do so much considering that aging is a natural process that catches up with everyone. But you can establish safe skincare practices to slow down the aging process. You can do this by avoiding environmental conditions that are harsh on your skin like smoking and exposure to excess UV rays.
How do bakuchiol and retinol relate or differ?
Before the discovery of the natural plant-based bakuchiol, the best skincare product was retinol. It was a clear example of high-risk but high reward. Users knew that before it gets good they had to go through the bad. Often dermatologists warned retinol users of the related side effects. On the positive, these side effects are temporary and the skin progressively adapts.
Retinol and bakuchiol are different yet but similar in function; away from the side effects. They have different molecular structures and whereas retinol is animal-derived, bakuchiol is plant-derived.
The bottom line, as a precaution, no skincare product should be introduced to your skin without consulting with your doctor/dermatologist.
