Bakuchiol: Natural alternative to retinol without side effects

What Is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is an ingredient that has existed since 1966 but hasn’t implemented into many products because it’s harder to find than its alternatives. Bakuchiol was first discovered from the babchi seeds of the bakuchi (Psoralea Corylifolia) plant (which is where it gets its name). It’s a type of meroterpene that helps purge and heal your skin.

Bakuchiol can either be found in the babchi seeds, but sometimes can be found in other vegetables and in the livers of various animals, such as fish.

Bakuchiol is notorious for being a safe alternative to retinol and retinoids. Bakuchiol used in Celement Skincare is vegan and does exactly what retinol does, without all the side effects. If you’re sensitive to retinol but still want a powerful punch of an anti-aging active ingredient, bakuchiol is the way to go.

What does Bakuchiol Do?

Bakuchiol is basically a safer and just as effective alternative to retinol. Retinol has been known to cause extreme irritation, peeling, and other not-so-fun side effects. Bakuchiol has no reported side effects.

Bakuchiol is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, as well as increasing the plumpness and elasticity of mature skin that normally hangs loosely across the face. Bakuchiol is ideal for those with sensitive skin, acne prone skin or allergies to retinol, as well as those who just don’t want to risk the gross side effects of using dangerous retinol. 

Bakuchiol has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties that help heal your skin’s natural microbiome. 

Antioxidant: Prevent your skin from oxidizing (hence the name ANTIoxidant) and keep your skin safe from pollution, UV rays, and other environmental factors.

Antibacterial: Either kills bacteria or makes it harder for bacteria to grow.

Anti-inflammatory: Bakuchiol helps cool and calm the skin cells, reducing rosacea and swelling of the skin and its capillaries.

How Can I Implement Bakuchiol Into my Skincare Routine?

Because Bakuchiol is lipophilic, it is incorporated in the emulsion type or oil type. "Bakuchiol Super C Serum" is an emulsion type of serum which has pure Bakuchiol @1% and stabilized Vitamin C @18%. Bakuchiol was clinically proved that it is comparable with Retinol in terms of anti-aging and anti-acne properties.  

What Can I Expect After Starting Bakuchiol?

Unlike retinol, you can use bakuchiol during the day as well, up to twice a day for maximum results, whereas retinol is limited to use because of its side effects. Visible difference is starting from 4weeks and significant improvement in 12 weeks. It might take longer or shorter period to see visible results depending on the skin types.