A newcomer to the world of miracle cosmetic active ingredients, Bakuchiol is a natural anti-aging agent that competes with retinol.
You're bound to have heard of, or even used, a serum or cream containing retinol. This synthetic active ingredient is derived from vitamin A and has been known for some time for its anti-ageing actions, in fact it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and gives elasticity to the skin by contributing to collagen production. It also has a slight keratolytic effect, helping to control hyperpigmentation and therefore the potential spots that tend to appear on our skin as we age. Retinol is also renowned for its effectiveness against blemishes and even acne, controlling natural sebum production by blocking excessive sebaceous gland activity and eliminating certain skin-damaging bacteria.
It appears to be an ideal active ingredient, but it does have a number of significant drawbacks, particularly for sensitive skin: it tends to dry out the skin and cause irritation or redness, and it is photosensitizing, so it can cause brown spots if used in daylight without a sunscreen. Finally, some forms of Retinol come from animals (egg yolk or fish liver oil), so it cannot be used in a vegan product. These are the points that make the difference with Bakuchiol.
But what is Bakuchiol?
You may not know it yet, but this anti-oxidant can revolutionize your beauty routine. It's a natural active ingredient that offers the same anti-aging benefits as retinol, but without the drawbacks. In fact, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, this ingredient effectively combats skin ageing, and thus reduces the signs of aging. Like hyaluronic acid, it also boosts cell renewal and has an antibacterial action that fights acne. It acts gently, without aggressing the epidermis, so there's no discomfort after application. For all these reasons, this ingredient is increasingly found in our beauty products.
The origin of Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds of a plant found in India and Sri Lanka: Psoralea corylifolia, also known as Babchi. This purple-flowered plant was formerly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat leprosy. Indeed, treatment was available in the form of a compressed powder to be ingested, or as an ointment to be applied to the area of the body or face damaged by the disease.
More currently, it is still used to treat certain illnesses (mainly skin diseases) such as leucoderma, which affects the skin and causes white patches.
It has also been scientifically proven to prevent cancer.
The active part of the plant used in these treatments is the same as that used in cosmetics: the seed.
Psoralea corylifolia oil or its seeds are commercially available, but care must be taken when using them, as in addition to Bakuchiol, they contain other molecules that can be irritating or allergenic.
How do I use Bakuchiol?
In addition to these medicinal uses, Bakuchiol is a real beauty ally. In fact, in organic cosmetics, it is beginning to make a name for itself, and to be found in a variety of products on the market. The scientifically proven efficacy of this active ingredient appeals to consumers whose skin is marked by the signs of ageing, imperfections or lack of radiance. What's more, unlike Retinol, it can be applied to sensitive skin without causing feelings of tightness, dryness or redness.
This natural ingredient can be used in organic and vegan skincare products.
This active ingredient can be found in a wide range of cosmetic products, notably creams and serums, which can be used without rinsing to ensure better penetration of the product into the epidermis, and therefore optimal efficacy.
Moreover, as cell regeneration takes place during sleep, we recommend application before bedtime to cleansed skin, as a night-time treatment for ideal results.
It can also be found in oils, with the same use as our "Retinol Like Végétal" oil serum.
What are the benefits of Bakuchiol?
As we have already seen, Bakuchiol has many positive effects, regardless of the type of skin:
- - Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,
- - It boosts collagen production, giving skin greater elasticity and a naturally healthy glow,
- - Gently exfoliates skin to remove dead cells,
- - Its keratolytic action helps prevent the appearance of brown spots, a consequence of hyperpigmentation,
- - It has antibacterial properties that eliminate certain bacteria responsible for acne and blackheads.
- - Controls sebum levels by blocking excessive sebaceous gland activity, thereby combating blemishes and oily skin.
The different forms of Bakuchiol
For medicinal purposes, Bakuchiol could be used in compressed powder form (tablets for ingestion). Also, for local application to wounds, the powder was mixed with an oil to form a kind of ointment.
This famous powder was obtained by grinding the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant.
For cosmetic use, an extraction technique has been developed to obtain greater purity of the active ingredient, which now exceeds 99%. The result is a yellow liquid ready to be incorporated into our skin care products.
Contraindications for the use of Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol is a gentle active ingredient that does not cause irritation, nor dryness or redness. It is therefore not recommended for even the most sensitive skin.
It is not contraindicated for pregnant women, nor is it photo-sensitizing.
How does Bakuchiol work?
Due to its chemical composition, Bakuchiol is a highly effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It's also a very good antibacterial agent, preventing the development of bad bacteria on the skin without harming it, which in turn prevents the overproduction of sebum, making it an excellent ally against acne and other imperfections. It also stimulates retinoid receptors, contributing to more intense collagen production and cell renewal.
Why use Bakuchiol rather than Retinol?
Despite their different chemical compositions, clinical studies have demonstrated the similar anti-ageing effects of Retinol and Bakuchiol on the following criteria: reduction of skin dryness, reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, complexion radiance, firmness, elasticity, appearance of eye contours and skin shine.
These studies also reveal the similarity of their acne-fighting effects by measuring sebum production, bacterial population and inflammation intensity.
It is therefore preferable to use Bakuchiol, which unlike Retinol does not cause any discomfort after use.
Discover our vegan Bakuchiol products!
At Yodi, we've developed an oil serum for the face called "Retinol Like Vegetal". Retinol Like Vegetal - Anti-aging face serum oil - Yodi (yodibeauty.com). Made up of just 8 ingredients, it contains a 2% concentration of Bakuchiol, but is also enriched with prebiotics whose role is to rebalance skin flora and thus fortify the cutaneous barrier to combat external aggression. It also contains five plant oils:
- - Coffee oil, with its nourishing and antioxidant properties
- - Organic Argan oil for its healing and antioxidant properties
- - Jojoba oil, which has the same characteristics as sebum, protecting and rebalancing the skin's barrier.
- - Sunflower oil for a "healthy glow" effect, revealing the skin's radiance and softness.
- - Oat oil, which also stimulates cell regeneration and is moisturizing.
Its formula is 100% natural and vegan, combining the benefits of all these active ingredients. It's a nourishing, regenerating serum that prevents and fights the signs of aging.
This innovative product promises to leave your skin blemish-free, soft, radiant and smooth.
It is recommended for all skin types, especially normal to dry skin with uneven texture, fine lines and wrinkles, and is suitable for sensitive skin.
We've also recently developed Shake-it, an oil serum designed for oily, blemished skin. Shake it! Oil - Purifying Charcoal & Retinol-like Plant - Yodi (yodibeauty.com). Composed of purifying charcoal and sebum-regulating Bakuchiol, it's ideal for overcoming skin imperfections.
Also containing Jojoba oil, which mimics the characteristics of natural sebum, it cleanses the skin without drying it out.
Finally, vegetable oils of coffee grounds, oats and sunflower boost cell regeneration and intensely nourish the skin.
If you haven't yet tried this near-miraculous active ingredient, or are already addicted to it, this product is for you.
