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).
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 strong rejuvenating and antibacterial properties.
Bakuchiol earned its title “botanical facelift” for its ability to increase skin firmness and reduce signs of aging. Besides its rejuvenating properties, 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’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:
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. However, the plant oil in its undiluted form is very strong and needs to be diluted in another compatible botanical oil(s).
Bakuchiol can be found in many skincare products like serums, face oils, and creams. Its anti-aging benefits make it a wonderful alternative to synthetic retinoids.
There are two ways Bakuchiol oil and other skin oils are typically made: cold-pressed oils and refined.
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.
Bakuchiol oil differs from company to company because of how they weave it into their product’s formulations. Therefore, not all products with this precious ingredient are same!
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, and rosehip seeds intensify the effectiveness of babchi oil. Moreover, flavonoids (as in prickly pear and maracuja oil) make babchi oil easier and faster to absorb and work faster on boosting skin rejuvenation.
Moreover, the serum has additional rejuvenating botanicals – nourishing the skin and boosting its collagen production. All botanical oils in this Retinol serum, including bakuchiol oil, are virgin, unrefined oils, rich in nutritious benefits for the skin.
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.
I recently tried this plant-based retinol serum, and I am absolutely thrilled with the results! As a woman in my mid fifties with extremely dry skin, I have been searching for a product that can address my specific skincare needs, and this serum has exceeded my expectations.
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.
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:
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. Retinoids if used incorrectly can lead to dryness, irritation, and redness of the skin. This irritation can be long and intense, as other unpleasant skin purging experiences.
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 or tretinoin.
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.
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.
Shop