Skincare, while it is a personal choice, understanding how to protect the skin from unnecessary stressors is the key to having a healthier skin as we age. For the past decades or so, the beauty industry has championed the use of retinol in various skincare products. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that helps to improve the skin’s appearance by smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, reducing acne, and improving skin tone, texture, and clarity. Retinol also helps to create new healthy cells and collagen. However, retinol, like any other product, has many side effects for those with sensitive skin as well as suffering from dry skin.
A natural alternative to retinol is bakuchiol. Studies have shown that bakuchiol has a similar effect on the skin as retinol and is also less irritating. This article will discuss the top 5 ways to use bakuchiol when switching from retinol.
Why Bakuchiol is a Better Alternative to Retinol
Bakuchiol is a natural plant extract found in the seeds of the babchi plant and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Retinol, on the other hand, is an organic compound that is a form of vitamin A. Retinol is a family of natural compounds also known as retinoids.
Retinol has been used as a skincare product for years because it helps to reduce signs of aging and provides antioxidant protection for the skin. Unfortunately, the family of retinoids is known to cause hyperplasia, characterized as the enlargement of an organ or tissue caused by an increase in the reproduction rate of its cells, often as an initial stage in the development of cancer.
Bakuchiol also has antioxidant benefits but does not have any side effects like irritation, dryness, or redness that are often associated with retinol. Nor can it be synthesized into a cancer-causing compound.
Bakuchiol has long been a staple herbal medicine amongst Indians and the Chinese to treat a variety of ailments. Not only does it possess anti-inflammatory compounds, but it is also known to be a great source of antioxidants and contains activities that are anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-acne, and cytotoxic compounds.
Clinical studies have shown products containing merely 0.5% bakuchiol can improve the appearance of the skin by assisting the skin to age naturally and gracefully without the appearance of excessive fine lines and wrinkles.
How to Transition from Retinol to Bakuchiol Without the Stress?
This is a question that many people are asking and it is not an easy one to answer. There are many different factors that can affect how your skin will react to the change in retinol to bakuchiol.
The skin type, age, and condition of the skin can all play a part in how your skin will react to these changes. However, there are some steps you can take to make the transition easier on your skin. We highly encourage you to the follow the following steps:
1) Start slow with bakuchiol: Retinol can be strong on the skin so it’s important to start slow with bakuchiol if you are switching from retinol. Apply it two or three times a week and gradually build up your usage over time.
2) Apply at night: Bakuchiol should be applied at night because it is an oil-based product that can cause breakouts if applied during the day. By applying a thick night-time moisturizer before applying bakuchiol at night, the skin gets an hour or two of rest instead of rubbing off the product by accident.
3) Use sunscreen: It is necessary to apply sunscreen before applying bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is an oil-based product that has been studied for the prevention of acne and can prevent breakouts on oily or oily-prone skin. It is recommended to use it at night because it can cause breakouts if used during the day. It also must be applied after moisturizer, or the sunscreen will be absorbed by your skin.
4) Use it in the morning: Apply a moisturizer before applying bakuchiol in the morning to prevent any breakouts. The moisturizer can then sit on top of your skin for an hour or two and make sure you aren’t rubbing off any of the product by accident. This article suggests using sunscreen on top of the bakuchiol because it is oil-based and might not apply evenly. without it. causing breakouts.
5) Paired with a water-based cleanser- For those with oily skin, pair a bakuchiol product with a water-based cleanser.
How Does Bakuchiol Work & Build Collagen?
In studies, bakuchiol has been found to penetrate the skin, stimulating collagen production. This compound also blocks an enzyme called MMP-1 that breaks down collagen fibers.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose – Retinol or Bakuchiol
Retinol is a type of vitamin A, which helps to remove the dead skin cells and stimulate collagen production. It is an ingredient that has been used in skincare products for decades.
Bakuchiol, on the other hand, is a natural antioxidant found in the seeds of the plant Psoralea corylifolia. It has many potential benefits for the skin and is increasingly being used as a natural alternative to retinol in skincare products.
While retinol might work faster in reducing wrinkles, dryness, acne scars, or dark spots then Retinol will be better for you, it can be quite harsh on the skin, which can lead to skin sensitization.
Remember something that yields a faster result isn’t necessarily the best option for your skin health. Take yoyo dieting, for example. People who practice yoyo dieting might lose weight quickly, but they have a more challenging time keeping the weight off for good. Your skin health isn’t dependent on how fast a product works. The skin needs time to heal and the products you use should promote this slow healing process.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any symptoms or illnesses. If you are feeling sad or depressed, please contact the emotional support hotline in your state.
Where To Find Bakuchiol Products
Beautelanin’s Super-rich Antioxidant facial oil, and thick, nighttime hemp seed Beautant Moisturizer is the perfect combination of the best in natural skin care. Beautelanin’s Super-rich Antioxidant facial oil is made with 0.5% of Bakuchiol which is a natural compound, derived from the seed of a plant called Indian Madder that has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions. The antioxidants in the oil can fight free radicals and help to slow down the aging process, and prevent wrinkles.
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REFERENCES:
Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014 Jun;36(3):221-30. doi: 10.1111/ics.12117. Epub 2014 Mar 6. PMID: 24471735.
Draelos ZD, Gunt H, Zeichner J, Levy S. Clinical Evaluation of a Nature-Based Bakuchiol Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Dec 1;19(12):1181-1183. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.5522. PMID: 33346506.
Spierings NMK. Cosmetic commentary: Is bakuchiol the new “skincare hero”? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Dec;19(12):3208-3209. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13708. Epub 2020 Sep 25. PMID: 32888255.