Hailed as a natural alternative to retinol, bakuchiol oil has risen to new heights in the anti-aging skincare market for its youth-boosting abilities. Sourced from the babchi plant which is indigenous to India, bakuchiol may be a somewhat recent addition to the anti-aging world in Western culture, but its seeds have actually been used for many years in Chinese medicine and by those who practice Ayurveda, most notably as an effective treatment for dermal issues such as vitiligo.
Bakuchiol has powerful antioxidant capabilities, which make it an incredibly valuable addition to your skincare routine, particularly if you’re looking to stave off the years. One of the primary functions of antioxidants is to help safeguard the skin against oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which is why this oil has been said to prove useful to anyone who is seeking to reduce the effects of environmental stressors like pollution and UV, which can put a huge strain on the skin and even lead to premature aging.
The color purple is known for its association with royalty and quality, which is why it’s fitting that this oil’s hue is that of a light purple, since it’s both rich and luxurious. First and foremost, bakuchiol oil is a great skin hydrator and is therefore a worthy adversary to wrinkles. However, what really makes it pack a punch is that, similarly to retinol, it is reported to stimulate your skin cells’ genetic pathways that are linked to collagen production. This response encourages the skin to generate a few different variations of collagen (you have approximately 16 different types in your body) that are recognized for their role in skin maintenance and regeneration, thus going towards improving the complexion by softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. On this subject, one study in 2018 divulged that there was no discernible distinction between the effects of retinol vs bakuchiol oil on hyperpigmentation and wrinkles – they were both equally potent. If that wasn’t enough to make you love bakuchiol, another great thing about this anti-aging oil is that, unlike retinol which is known to dry out and irritate those with prone to sensitivity by supposedly reducing your oil gland size, bakuchiol moisturizes and firms the skin without such aggravation.
Conversely, if your skin doesn’t object to the use of retinol, bakuchiol can provide it with added benefits. For instance, retinol can be an unstable ingredient, which is where bakuchiol steps in to offer said stability and prolong its effects. Because bakuchiol is so gentle, it has also been offered to those wanting their skin to acclimatize to a higher concentration of retinol, but don’t want to suffer irritation.
Another upside of bakuchiol is its performance when subjected directly to UV, as opposed to retinol. Though some sources say that retinol can be applied prior to exposing yourself to sunlight, it isn’t typically recommended since the sun can impede its effects by reducing its potency, not to mention increasing photosensitivity. As it’s sourced from vitamin A, retinol is apparently capable of negatively impacting your dermal protective qualities by thinning the skin. Bakuchiol, however, doesn’t have this effect. In fact, though it shouldn’t be used in lieu of SPF, it’s proclaimed to even decrease photosensitivity during direct sun exposure, which is a big plus.
Due to the fact that it’s a very soothing oil, it’s not just suited to sensitive and aging skin, but also to those with acne flare-ups. Bakuchiol’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities have seen it met with success when used to treat this condition, which is great news to those with problematic skin. This is further helped by the fact that bakuchiol can penetrate quite deeply into your skin in addition to being able to promote skin cell turnover, both of which help to give the complexion a brighter, more refreshed appearance.
In order to get the best out of bakuchiol oil, always apply it to a clean face, preferably one that’s been freshly cleansed. It can be used after applying an exfoliant that’s meant to be left on the face, such as one that contains AHA or BHA. Heavier serum formulas that contain bakuchiol oil are recommended to be incorporated into your nighttime routine to give them longer to sink in. For less rich formulations, use during the day for optimum results. A couple of drops of bakuchiol oil can also be combined with other moisturizing products. However, it’s useful to be aware that, despite being compatible with many other anti-aging products, it’s not recommended to use it in conjunction with glycolic acid since it has the capability of degrading bakuchiol’s composition.
Though there are many positive traits associated with bakuchiol oil, there is one distinct downside – its cost. Although there are a growing number of skincare products that include bakuchiol as an ingredient, it is still a slightly limited market, which is why bakuchiol products are often on the more expensive side, so it’s good to be aware of that. On this note, though bakuchiol-infused products like creams and serums are more commonplace, undiluted bakuchiol seed oil can also be purchased. However, it must always be diluted first and is never recommended to be applied topically without taking this precaution (this is why you often see bakuchiol products marketing this ingredient in concentrations of around 1%, like retinol, due to its strength). Treat it like the retinol alternative it is – with caution, and give your skin time to adjust to it.
Although unlike retinol, bakuchiol oil has been described as being a stable ingredient. However, this doesn’t mean that it is safe to apply for everyone – though various sources have given the green light for bakuchiol to be used while pregnant, it’s still a fairly new addition to the anti-aging skincare market, so knowledge on just how safe it is to use during this time is lacking. If you are pregnant or suffer from any dermal/health conditions, always consult a dermatologist or a healthcare professional before introducing a new product into your skincare routine.
If you would like to find out more about retinol, check out our blog post on What Is Retinol?