Is Bakuchiol Natures Retinol?

Yes, we are lucky to live at a time when cosmetic science is going ahead in leaps and bounds.

When I speak to our expert formulators, their enthusiasm about new evidence for the effectiveness of ingredients is absolutely infectious.

So when formulating our Relax and Lift Eye and Lip Crème, I was excited to understand the evidence based possibilities of a natural alternative to retinol as one of its foundation ingredients.

Bakuchiol (pronounced buh-koo-chee-owl) became the obvious choice of a potential gentler alternative to retinol.

What is retinol and is it safe?

Yes. There is no question, the Vitamin A compound retinol is a fantastic skincare ingredient that promotes skin cell turnover and boost collagen production to reduce fine lines and target dark spots, dryness are all changes that can sneak up on us.

It is an essential nutrient that facilitates the function of our skin, eyes and immune system. 

But the point is, Retinol is not for everyone and many find that it can be pretty rough on their skin with reported side effects like dryness, burning, stinging, peeling, even sun sensitivity.

I have also heard from friends and customers that when they started using retinol products, their skin did not adjust very well with some reporting inflammation, flaking and itchiness.

This may why it is advised to slowly increase the frequency and amount of Retinol used so users can build up their tolerance over time. Also, some forms of retinol are derived from animal products, making them non-vegans.

What a lost opportunity.

So are their alternatives?

Relax + Refine + Lift Eye & Lip Crème With Bakuchiol, Acmella & Quandong

Learn more about Relax + Refine + Lift Eye & Lip Crème With Bakuchiol, Acmella & Quandong

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a plant extract from Indian Babchi (Psoralea Corylifolia) seeds and claimed to be a natural alternative to retinol and retinoids.

It has been a staple of traditional Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for many years for the treatment of psoriasis and eczema, with much anecdotal support. Bakuchiol stimulates skin cell turnover and increases collagen production. It's favoured by many people of all skin types because they believe you get benefits without the side effects.

So if you have sensitive skin and cannot tolerate retinol, it may definitely be a better choice as it offers the skin benefits without such side effects like dryness or irritation.

Is Bakuchiol as good as retinol – what’s the difference?

We are conscious of green-washing at SCOUT.

So is Bakuchiol really comparable to Retinol and is it ‘nature’s answer to retinol’ with the same healthy aging benefits.

•       Bakuchiol has no structural molecular resemblance with Retinoic Acid and does not interact with the body in the same way. Bakuchiol does however, stimulate similar outcomes in terms of collagen production.
•       While there are many, many more studies on retinol, there is also an emerging body of evidence for the effectiveness of Bakuchiol.

Whether it fights skin aging as well as the long-researched retinol is a big question and the answer is based on a limited number of evaluations. While comparing ingredient studies is often difficult, there is certainly evidence for Bakuchiol delivering comparable results without some of the harsh side effects.

Bakuchiol clearly requires further study but I believe the early results are promising.

•       Unlike retinol, it’s also safe to use while pregnant, complements other natural skincare ingredients, and can be used in the morning or at night, making it valuable for treating the signs of ageing.
•       Bakuchiol also has  benefits over retinoids as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which is beneficial for acne
•       As with many issues in skincare, with differences between the skins of individuals and age groups, it may be appropriate to simply try products containing either Bakuchiol or Retinol and test for yourself.

A few final thoughts

I really like to have a choice when it comes to skincare.

High performance synthetic ingredients absolutely have a place but non-one wants to put up with adverse reactions.

So if Retinol is not for you, I am really proud to offer an expertly formulated and effective alternative with Bakuchiol that many of my customers love.