The people have spoken! We had an idea that the Bakuchiol was going to catch the eye of a few people, but it’s clear that you’re all curious - and with good reason. Bakuchiol is extracted from the Babachi (Psoralea Corylifolia) plant and is filled with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The Babachi plant is an absolute powerhouse and has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine due to its shocking effectiveness to cure various skin diseases. The whole plant can be utilized from its roots, stems, seeds, and blooms and has been known to help with everything from dermatitis, inflammatory disease, and eczema.
So why should you put it on your face?
Bakuchiol's effects are known to be comparable to retinol, without the side effects such as irritation, or drying out your skin. If you tend to have sensitive skin, or irritation when using retinol and are looking for a product to help reduce signs of aging, Bakuchiol is for you. It has been pharmacologically studied for its chemoprotective, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and due to the antioxidant potency in Bakuchiol, it can protect the skin from free radicals (which cause aging).
Bakuchiol works to maintain the skin's lipid barrier which helps lock in moisture and heal inflammation, and has been clinically studied to be known to reduce signs of photoaging, including hyperpigmentation and wrinkles! Bakuchiol can increase cell turnover, therefore stimulating collagen production creating firmer, less wrinkled, and more hydrated skin - it’s also vegan whereas some retinol is sourced from animal products.
How to incorporate Bakuchiol into your routine
Bakuchiol is fairly simple to add into your routine, since it's a gentle formulation you can use it once or twice a day, after cleansing/toning your face, and before any additional moisturizers or products containing SPF. As always we recommend doing a patch test before fully trying the product, and gradually introduce it into your daily routine (starting with a few nights/week and building up). According to the current studies available, and likely due to the natural and gentle compounds of Bakuchiol, it can be paired with most products and layered into your routine without reacting with other products. It is known to increase the effectiveness in other products, due to its stabilizing abilities and can reduce sun sensitivity (but does not replace SPF). As with all products it’s highly recommended to follow up with an SPF post bakuchiol to save your skin from sun damage.
Have you already tried Bakuchiol? Let us know your thoughts on it, give us a review - or reach out with any questions you have about this anti-aging powerhouse!