Love is patient, love is kind. It is the choice you make to be gentle with yourself and your skin. Valentine’s day may have gone by but treating yourself to some well-deserved TLC is an everyday affair. If you’re looking to ramp up your self-care sessions with skincare, then we’ve got a shining new star for you: bakuchiol.

Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol that is gentler and kinder to your skin while giving you similar benefits, especially for well-aging. It has been gaining popularity in recent years and many individuals, especially those with sensitive skin, have been adding this to their skincare kits.

Let’s get into the basics of bakuchiol and explore how this gentle ingredient can help you achieve healthier skin with a more radiant and youthful glow.

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is derived from Psoralea corylifolia (also known as the Babchi plant) which was commonly used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

This plant-based ingredient is gentle but it works deep within the layers of your skin. Bakuchiol, like retinol, can boost your natural ability to produce collagen—a function that helps keep your skin soft, healthy, and youthful. This is why many individuals turn to bakuchiol when they find retinol too harsh for their skin.

Bakuchiol vs Retinol

Bakuchiol is often praised for its similarities to retinol but why should you choose one over the other? Let’s compare the two so you can figure out what well-aging skincare is the best fit for you. 

Starting with the basics, bakuchiol and retinol have different chemical structures. This is why bakuchiol is an alternative and not actually the “vegan retinol” or “natural retinol” as some may call it. The key difference between the two, however, is that bakuchiol is milder compared to retinol (and other retinoids), making it suitable for all skin types. It is also less sensitising to your skin so you can use it even in your morning skincare routine.

A study published by the British Journal of Dermatology in 2019 showed that bakuchiol cream at 0.5% (applied twice daily) is on par with 0.5% retinol when it comes to improving visible signs of aging. It was also noted that participants that used retinol experienced more stinging and scaling of their skin. These results are incredibly promising, but we should mention that the trial only had a sample size of 44 individuals.

Don't worry though—there are more studies that support bakuchiol as well as groups of researchers that want to test it further because they see its potential. This ingredient is simply not as extensively studied as retinol yet.

🍑 Curious about retinol? Get to know this wonder ingredient and how to add it into your skincare routine by reading our beginner’s guide to retinol.

Bakuchiol: Skincare benefits

We all know that bakuchiol mirrors retinol in a way, especially when it comes to boosting collagen production and working deep within the layers of your skin. It is a game-changing ingredient because it is gentle yet capable of the following:

• Lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation
• Even out skin tone and texture
• Boost skin elasticity and softness
• Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Fight acne and breakouts

In addition, bakuchiol is more tolerable which means you have less chances of suffering side effects depending on your skin. Despite being milder, however, dry or irritated skin is not completely off the board for you—it just won’t be at the same level as retinol.

💡 If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using bakuchiol. This may be a gentle alternative to retinol but it’s always best to play it safe. 

Using bakuchiol: Tips and recommendations

We’ve gone through the basics of bakuchiol so it’s time for the most exciting part: incorporating it into your skincare! Read on for our tips on adding this gentle giant into your routine.

1. Do a patch test

Bakuchiol’s defining characteristic is its gentle and skin-friendly nature. However, introducing new skincare ingredients into your routine should always be a slow and steady process. We recommend doing a DIY patch test first to see if your skin has any adverse or allergic reactions to it. You can patch test in 3 easy steps:

Step 1

Apply a quarter-sized amount on your inner arm or bend of the elbow. Leave it on for 24 hours and do not rinse it off until that time is up. If you don’t see any negative reaction, proceed to the next step.

 

Step 2

Move to either your jawline or behind an ear and wait for another 24 hours before rinsing it off. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, you can repeat this step over the course of 7 days to watch out for any delayed reactions.

 

Step 3

Apply your product on a small spot on your face and observe how your skin reacts within 24 hours (like step 2, you can do this through several days if you have sensitive skin).

Consult your dermatologist or do an in-office patch test if you have extremely sensitive skin or conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, etc.

2. Check the strength of your bakuchiol

Bakuchiol is well-loved because it is mild—but this can sometimes be its downfall. When choosing your bakuchiol product, we recommend going for at least a 0.5% to 1% concentration to make sure it is potent enough to do its job.

Some people will need stronger percentages while others only require mild ones. So as we always say, observe how your skin reacts and follow what makes it happy and healthy. 

3. Layer according to your bakuchiol

Bakuchiol comes in many forms, with serums and creams at the forefront. If you have bakuchiol serum, apply it after a hydrating toner and any other serum you use. For creams, we recommended applying your bakuchiol before your moisturiser to mitigate any drying or irritation—especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.

4. You can use bakuchiol up to twice a day

This recommendation depends on your skin and how much it can tolerate. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol does not increase your sensitivity towards UV rays so you can use it during your evening and morning skincare. Just remember: don't skip your sunscreen! If your skin is more sensitive or if you noticed mild side effects, then it’s best to stick to using bakuchiol once at night.

Remember the study we mentioned a few sections above? The participants that enjoyed positive, visible results used bakuchiol at 0.5% twice a day. 

5. Patience is key

Using a new skincare product can get you excited for the results but it may take 6 – 12 weeks before you can see any difference (depending on your skin cycle). Just stay patient and consistent when it comes to your bakuchiol—and your skincare routine as a whole.

Our favourites: Bakuchiol in Korean skincare

K-beauty offers a wide array of skincare for every skin type, need, and goal. Here’s our round-up of bakuchiol products that can help you love your skin the way it deserves: gentle and kind.

By Wishtrend Vitamin A-mazing Bakuchiol Night Cream

Don't sleep on soft, youthful skin. This A-mazing night cream nourishes and moisturises your skin while targeting fine lines and wrinkles. Formulated using retinal and bakuchiol, you get great results with less side effects.

Purito Bakuchiol Timeless Bloom Revitalizing Serum

Timeless beauty in a bottle. This well-aging and non-irritating serum is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines and improve skin texture and elasticity. It is fast-absorbing and formulated with a high concentration of 1% bakuchiol for more visible results. Despite all these powerful benefits, the revitalising serum is gentle and suitable for all skin types.

Haruharu Wonder Black Bakuchiol Eye Cream

Eyes so fresh and bright. The combination of black rice and bakuchiol in this eye cream helps moisturise the skin around your peepers and improve fine lines and wrinkles. The best part? It’s a gentle formulation which is recommended for the thin skin surrounding your eyes.

Happy together: Ingredients to pair with bakuchiol

Just like no man is an island, skincare is better when layered with complementary products or ingredients. Finding the right cocktail for your skin can get you the most meaningful and lasting results, which is why layering is a good habit to get into.

Bakuchiol actually works well with most ingredients out there but here are our top picks for you:

Antioxidants

These are ingredients which help protect your skin from free radicals that can cause inflammation and premature signs of aging. Antioxidants are essential in any skincare routine but they do wonders when combined with bakuchiol, boosting its effects and brightening your complexion. 

It’s recommended to add antioxidants to your morning routine. You can use a serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, niacinamide, green tea extract, pomegranate, blackberry, etc.

💡 Bakuchiol also has antioxidant properties.

PHAs

PHA (polyhydroxy acid) is a mild exfoliant which helps get rid of dead skin cells, improve skin tone and texture, and give you that healthy glow. It is also gentler compared to your AHAs and BHAs (strong exfoliants which we do not recommend using with bakuchiol). 

Why pair bakuchiol with PHAs? Where our star ingredient works deep within the layers of your skin, PHAs keep to the surface—lowering the risk of skin irritation and negative reactions. 

Hyaluronic acid

Almost everyone has heard of this powerhouse humectant as it is a skincare icon in its own right. Paired with bakuchiol, hyaluronic acid makes sure your skin stays hydrated and further lowers your chances of experiencing side effects like dry skin, flaking, and irritation. Remember, despite being milder compared to retinol, bakuchiol can still be drying depending on your skin.

If your skin tolerates bakuchiol well, hyaluronic acid is still a good partner to it since it can help you achieve plump and hydrated skin.

Ceramides

These fatty acids help keep your skin healthy, soft, and moisturised. By using ceramides in addition to your bakuchiol, you can strengthen and support your skin barrier—reducing the risk of dry skin. 

In summary, bakuchiol is a mild skincare ingredient that helps in well-aging and keeping our skin healthy. It doesn't stop the marks of time but it's a way for us to age gracefully—and to treat our skin with a gentle hand. Self-love comes in many forms and we believe that skincare is one way to do it.

Stay happy and filled with love, Peaches! 🍑