You may have heard of Bakuchiol, especially considering that the latest trends in skincare are based on natural, plant-based ingredients. when it comes to anti-aging ingredients, Bakuchiol could easily give Retinol a run for its money since it has all of its benefits without any adverse side effects.

Anti-aging ingredients are on the top list of the skincare industry. Retinol has been used for years to prevent fine lines and diminish wrinkles and dark spots. However, Retinol can dry out your skin, causing irritation.

On the other hand, Bakuchiol is considered the new natural Retinol or Bio-Retinol. It is a vegan ingredient that offers all of Retinol's benefits without annoying side effects.

This innovative but difficult-to-pronounce ingredient (Ba/Koo/Heel) has become a household name, even though Retinol had the world at its feet. So, looking for anti-aging without irritation? Use Sytenol® A, the best Bakuchiol available on the market.

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a natural ingredient, a meroterpene phenol derived from the leaves and seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, a medicinal plant known as babchi. 

Commonly used in India, Bakuchiol has been around for millennia as part of natural remedies in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, thanks to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

And although it is well known in Eastern medicine, the West is merely starting to re-discover the innumerable benefits of Bakuchiol, incorporating it into many skincare formulations in concentrations between 0.5-2%.

Bakuchiol Benefits

Bakuchiol is an excellent antioxidant. It is highly effective in diminishing oxidative stress caused by exposure to free radicals due to UV radiation and pollutants.

Free radicals are the ones to blame for aging. They accelerate collagen degradation, causing elasticity loss and skin sagging, paving the way for wrinkles and premature expression lines.

So, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, Bakuchiol is an excellent anti-aging ingredient!

Indeed, Bakuchiol promotes cell turnover, constantly renewing the superficial cells of the epidermis, much like Retinol and chemical exfoliants. This property can give you a smooth and bright complexion, reducing hyperpigmentation.

Finally, Bakuchiol is also suited for acne-prone skin, thanks to its sebum-regulating properties. It reduces sebum production, skin inflammation, and the proliferation of acne-causing bacteria (P. acnes).

How to Use Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol comes in serum or oil presentation. Remember that skincare products must be applied in order according to their consistency, always from thinnest to heaviest. 

The rules are simple. Serums always come first, then moisturizers and creams, and last but not least, oils to seal in the moisture. 

If you apply more than one serum in the morning, make sure to use your Bakuchiol serum first. At night, always apply before your moisturizer. And, if you have Bakuchiol oil, always apply it last.

Regarding frequency, Bakuchiol should be applied to a clean and dry face, preferably morning and night, to get better results.

On the bright side, unlike Retinol, Bakuchiol is photostable and can be used during the day because it won't make your skin more sensitive to the sun. 

However, sunscreen is a must under any circumstance, especially if we want to stop photodamage and aging secondary to exposure to UV rays.

Additionally, Bakuchiol can be safely combined with other popular skincare ingredients, such as vitamin C. 

There are not as many conflicts and limitations as with Retinol, although its use in the same routine with exfoliating acids should be avoided to prevent possible overstimulation and irritation. Also, Glycolic Acid, for example, may inactivate Bakuchiol.

To sum up, Bakuchiol can be used twice daily; It is not photosensitizing, it is safe for all skin types, and it can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding (unlike Retinol).

Is Bakuchiol Better than Retinol?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A. And even though Bakuchiol is not related to the chemical structure of retinoids, it works in the same way. 

Both actives target the same retinoid receptors in the dermis and increase gene expression responsible for cell turnover and production of type I, III, and IV collagen. This can improve skin firmness, elasticity, and overall complexion.

Of course, used right and in the correct percentage, Retinol can dramatically improve the appearance of skin. However, the usual redness, peeling, and irritation that comes with retinoids are very limiting (to say the least), especially for sensitive skin.

So, Retinol must be preferably used in low concentrations, slowly building tolerance to the ingredient, and can only be applied at night.

Now, with Bakuchiol, there is a whole different story. Although it is relatively new, and there is not as much scientific evidence supporting its use (as with Retinol), many studies have obtained favorable results, reporting better tolerance.

A study published in 2019 compared the effects of 0.5% Retinol cream applied daily vs. 0.5% Bakuchiol applied twice daily in 44 patients for 12 weeks.

At the end of the study, both ingredients had significantly increased collagen production and reduced hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles, with no statistically significant differences. However, patients who used Retinol reported burning sensations and peeling.

For this reason, Bakuchiol is more than hype; it is the best option for vegans and people with sensitive and retinoid-intolerant skin or simply as an entry-level product for skincare newbies.

And even though Bakuchiol requires it to be applied twice daily for maximum effectiveness, fewer side effects translate into more patients following treatment. 

Hence, not only is Bakuchiol as effective as Retinol, it looks promising as a natural ingredient and a skin-friendlier option than Retinol.

However, bear in mind that if retinoids have been working for you, there is no need to replace them. And if you are on Retinoic Acid (the stronger, prescription-strength Retinol), you won't get the same effects using Bakuchiol-based products.

Try Sytenol® A, the Best Vegan Retinol On The Market

Sytenol®A is a 100% natural and vegan anti-aging ingredient with excellent performance and end results similar to Retinol, without any negative side effects.

In addition, Sytenol®A, whose main ingredient is 99% pure Bakuchiol, has proven to be highly photostable in many formulations (unlike Retinol), going from serums to face creams and oils.

So, if you are looking for a gentler option than retinoids but with excellent performance to prevent premature skin photoaging, Sytenol®A will become your new favorite ingredient in your skincare routine.

And, Sytenol®A has extra benefits over retinoids that make it perfect for acne-prone skin, such as its anti-inflammatory potential.

Now that you know all of Bakuchiol's anti-aging benefits (and a little more), are you willing to try it? Use Sytenol®A, the best natural alternative to retinoids, if you are looking for anti-aging without irritation. Say goodbye to redness and flaking!