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Looking for ways to combat signs of aging and give your skin a youthful glow? The fountain of youth is not a place, but it is a thing: retinol. While retinoids get a bad rep for irritating sensitive skin, there is a plant-based retinol alternative that has a gentle effect on the skin: Bakuchiol (aka babchi or bakuchi oil)
Here is an overview of the topics discussed:
- What is Bakuchiol?
- Bakuchiol Oil in Skincare
- What Are The Skin Benefits of Bakuchiol?
- Is Bakuchiol Oil Good for Sensitive Skin?
- What Ingredients Can You Mix Bakuchiol With?
- Best Products With Bakuchiol Oil
- How is Bakuchiol Oil made?
- Best Bakuchiol Oil For Topical Use
- Bakuchiol Health Benefits
- Final Thoughts
WHAT IS BAKUCHIOL?
Bakuchiol is a vegan and plant-based skincare ingredient extracted from the seeds and leaves of the anti-aging plant Psoralea corylifolia, also called Babchi or Bakuchi. The plant is native to India. Historically, it has been mostly used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine. Bakuchiol oil has been used for over centuries for medicinal treatments because of its soothing and antibacterial properties.
BAKUCHIOL OIL IN SKINCARE
Babchi oil is mainly known for its strong anti-aging properties and twice the antioxidative potential as vitamin E. It certainly earned its nickname, “botanical botox”. The plant oil in its undiluted form is very strong and needs to be diluted in another compatible botanical oil. It helps reduce hyperpigmentation and protects your skin from sun damage. Bakuchiol can be applied day or night because it is not inactivated by the sun – that’s one less thing you have to worry about.
It is most effective when it is mixed with carotenoids and flavonoids as it is in Plant Mother’s Retinol Serum formulation. The serum’s high level of antioxidants promotes collagen synthesis and speeds formation of healthy skin cells.
Plant Mother’s vegan retinol serum with Bakuchiol is the greatest skin savior – it nourishes skin deeply, boosting its collagen production. And it does that without any skin irritation or sun sensitivity – the most common side-effects of synthetic retinols.
The serum’s superhero ingredients are Bakuchiol and Sea Buckthorn blended with over 20 rejuvenating luxurious botanicals – hibiscus, cloudberry, passion fruit, and prickly pear, to name the few.
WHAT ARE THE SKIN BENEFITS OF BAKUChi OIL?
Bakuchiol earned its title “botanical facelift” for its ability to increase skin firmness and reduce signs of aging. It’s important to note that Bakuchiol is not retinol. The plant is a natural, plant-based alternative to synthetic retinol. They both have identical benefits, however, it is important to note a distinction between bakuchiol vs retinol. This precious botanical contains the highest amount of natural provitamin A which is a plant-based equivalent to synthetic retinol.
Here is a list of Bakuchiol’s wonderful skin benefits:
- Anti-aging. Reduces the appearance of wrinkles and smoothes out fine lines
- Stimulates skin cell regeneration. Promotes collagen production
- Great for all skin types: Even sensitive skin types can use this botanical
- Reduces hyperpigmentation. Minimizes the appearance of dark spots
- Gentle. Does not cause redness, dryness, or irritation (unlike synthetic retinol)
- Full of antioxidants: Rich with twice as antioxidants as vitamin E
IS BABCHI OIL GOOD FOR SENSITIVE SKIN?
The best part of using Bakuchiol as a vegan retinol alternative is that you reap all of the benefits without experiencing the harsh effects and chemicals. Therefore, it’s a less irritating, plant-based, and vegan alternative to synthetic retinol.
Retinol comes in different strengths and sometimes if you switch to synthetic retinol you can do more harm than good for your skin. There are different strengths of retinols, e.g. tazarotene, and other prescription-based very strong retinols. They have some qualities, but what’s common is that they cause skin irritation, peeling, dryness, even if you use a pea size which is usually recommended.
Bakuchiol is less irritating on the skin and is great for sensitive skin types. Also it is a good solution for people who suffer from dry skin and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Additionally, many pregnant women and nursing moms switch to bakuchiol serum because it’s a gentler plant-based alternative to harsh, synthetic retinols and retinoids.
WHAT INGREDIENTS CAN YOU MIX IT WITH?
Bakuchiol can be mixed with many ingredients because the plant does not negatively affect other ingredients. However, for safety reasons, it is a good idea to stay away from harsh ingredients while using this botanical.
Here is a list of products you should avoid while using bakuchiol:
- Exfoliators. Remove dead skin cells. They can come in a physical form or chemical form.
- Toners. Cleanse, moisturize, and refresh the skin.
- Retinoids. Synthetic vitamin A derivatives usually prescribed by a doctor.
BEST PRODUCTS WITH BAKUCHIOL OIL
Bakuchiol can be found in many skincare products like serums, face oils, and creams. Its retinol-like anti-aging benefits make it a wonderful alternative to synthetic retinoids.
Bakuchiol oil differs from company to company because of how they weave it into their product’s formulations. When looking for a good bakuchiol serum or cream, make sure to look for a formulation that combines bakuchiol with carotenoids and flavonoids, as it is in Plant Mother’s Retinol serum. Carotenoids such as Sea Buckthorn seed and pulp, carrot seeds, rosehips intensify the effectiveness of babchi oil. Moreover, flavonoids such as prickly pear and maracuja oil, make babchi oil easier and faster to absorb and work faster on speeding skin rejuvenation.
Plant Mother’s Retinol is rich and nutritious – like luxurious skin food. Besides bakuchiol, it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and omegas. Moreover, the serum is hand-crafted with over 20 nutritious botanicals – nourishing the skin and boosting its collagen production. Its fresh ingredients help rejuvenate and nourish the skin. Additionally, it doesn’t cause any redness or irritation and is great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
HOW IS BAKUCHIOL OIL MADE?
Bakuchiol oil is made from the babchi plant through a special extraction of the plant’s seeds. A single molecule is extracted, producing the purest form of Bakuchiol. This extraction process is necessary for obtaining the precious ingredient.
BEST BAbchi OIL FOR TOPICAL USE
There are two ways Bakuchiol oil and other skin oils are typically made: cold-pressed oils and refined.
- Cold-pressed oils. Oil is made from crushing seeds and extracting oil from them on low temperatures. This process does not require chemicals and it helps maintain botanicals in their nutritious composition that closely resembles their raw state.
- Refined oils. Processed oils that are pressed on high temperatures. This process strips them from nutrients and makes them less beneficial for skin. Many refined oils have added artificial fragrances to mask oils natural, earthy smell.
It is best to choose cold-pressed oils because they are minimally processed and more nutritious than refined oils. Heat and chemicals strip away the nutrients and good ingredients. It’s important to recognize what clean skincare is because it could mean the difference between healing your skin and irritating it.
BAKUCHIOL HEALTH BENEFITS
Bakuchiol does not only do good for your skin, but it also benefits your health. The plant’s potent antioxidative properties target free radicals and suppress the growth of cancer cells.
It’s similar to retinoids in that it stimulates collagen production minus the harsh chemicals found in synthetic retinol such as . Retinoids if used incorrectly can lead to dryness, irritation, and redness of the skin. Tretinoin purge can be long and intense, as other unpleasant skin purging experiences.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Bakuchiol aka babchi oil is a precious vegan alternative to retinol. It has the same great benefits for the skin, without redness, dryness, or irritation typically caused by synthetic retinoids such as tazarotene.
Not all bakuchiol oils are same – look for cold-pressed, unrefined, and undiluted oils. They have the highest amount of nutrients. When in skincare formulations, such as serums or creams, make sure babchi oil is not mixed with water or harsh chemicals.
Bakuchiol used in Plant Mother’s retinol serum is grown organically, without any GMO, or harmful pesticides. It is free of any toxins, animal derivatives, and is gluten-free. Moreover, in this retinol serum, it is combined with a rich spectrum of plant-based carotenoids (Sea Buckthorn seeds, pulp, rosehips, carrot seeds, hibiscus) and flavonoids (maracuja, prickly pear). It makes this serum a rich skin food with all the benefits of a synthetic retinol minus the redness, dryness, irritation, or sun sensitivity.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions.
The publisher of this content does not take responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, skincare product, or lifestyle program.
