Bakuchiol is an ingredient derived from the psoralea corylifolia plant, the “babchi” plant. The plant’s extract offers the same skin benefits of a retinol, but without the harsh side effects and less irritation.  The babchi plant has been used in Chinese and Indian restorative medicine for years for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antibacterial properties.

If you are a skincare lover, you probably already heard about Retinol. Retinol is regularly praised as the skincare holy grail for acne, wrinkles, and glow. It speeds up cell regeneration, encourages collagen production, visibly reduces the appearance of sun damage, lines, wrinkles, brown spots, and even pores. However, this ingredient is chemical so it is known for the irritation and drying it frequently causes on the skin.

Bakuchiol is the natural version of Retinol. Like Retinol, Bakuchiol works to turn over skin cells, making room for newer, fresher, better-appearing cells to come to the top. It also pushes collagen (a skin-strengthening protein) to the surface for more elastic, youthful-looking skin. For those who can’t tolerate Retinol because of the associated dryness, irritation, redness, etc. then this is a excellent alternative.

This new and trendy skincare ingredient is also a good option if you are looking to adopt a green skincare routine. Clean beauty is becoming bigger and bigger and one of the most amazing things about it is that you can actually read everything that is on the label. Bakuchiol, for example, is safe for pregnant women and women who are at the breastfeeding stage. This is wonderful, isn’t it? So our ingredient of the month has all the benefits of retinol, without the harsh side effects of it.