In recent times Bakuchiol has become one of modern skincare's most talked about well-ageing ingredients and is often described as a natural alternative to retinol. But Bakuchiol has been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries. We believe it's so much more than just a retinol alternative and deserves to be understood without comparison.
We personally love it at Anara. It was an ingredient we knew we would include in our range from the very start of our formulation journey in 2019, before it reached its height of popularity in the world of modern skincare.
What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived active found in the seeds and leaves of Psoralea corylifolia, also known as the babchi plant.
Although the plant has a long history of traditional use, Bakuchiol is a relatively recent addition to modern skincare. Interest in it has grown as research has explored its ability to support some of the changes we see in our skin as it ages.
It also has antioxidant properties, which help protect the skin against oxidative stress caused by environmental factors.
You'll often see Bakuchiol described as a natural alternative to retinol. While the comparison has helped make it famous, the two are actually very different ingredients. Bakuchiol isn't a retinol or a form of vitamin A.
We believe it deserves to be understood for what it can do in its own right.
What does Bakuchiol do for your skin?
One of the reasons Bakuchiol is so interesting is the breadth of its benefits.
Research suggests that regular use can help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, firmness, elasticity, pigmentation and overall skin texture.
Our skin may experience some or all of these changes naturally over time, and Bakuchiol can help support your skin through these changes, helping it remain healthy, comfortable and radiant.
It supports and fits beautifully into the well-ageing approach we hold very close to our heart at Anara.
Is Bakuchiol suitable for sensitive skin?
One of Bakuchiol's particularly appealing qualities is its gentle nature.
It is generally well tolerated and doesn't create irritation to deliver its benefits. That's particularly relevant if your skin is sensitive or has become more reactive,
But there is one important distinction to make here.
Our skin doesn't experience an ingredient in isolation. It experiences the whole formulation.
So while Bakuchiol itself may be gentle, whether a particular product suits your skin will also depend on the other ingredients in the formula and how everything has been brought together, so patch testing any new product before introducing it fully is always recommended.
Is Bakuchiol pregnancy-friendly?
Bakuchiol has become particularly interesting for women looking for pregnancy-friendly skincare.
Unlike retinoids or vitamin A derivatives, which are recommended to be avoided during pregnancy, research has shown that Bakuchiol is suitable for use during pregnancy.
But again it's worth looking beyond the single ingredient.
The presence of Bakuchiol doesn't automatically make the whole product pregnancy-friendly. Other ingredients within the formulation must be considered too, so it's worth checking the finished product and asking the brand if you are in doubt.
At Anara, pregnancy suitability was part of our formulation brief from the beginning. Our complete five-product collection has been independently safety assessed as suitable for use during pregnancy, including the two products in which we use Bakuchiol:
Can you use Bakuchiol every day?
Bakuchiol can be formulated for daily use and, depending on the finished product, can be used morning and evening, so there is no complicated schedule required.
Why do we use Bakuchiol at Anara?
You'll find Bakuchiol in our Rejuvenating Eye & Face Serum and Radiance Moisturiser, as mentioned above. We chose to include Bakuchiol for its impressive well-ageing benefits, antioxidant properties and gentle nature, as well as its suitability for use during pregnancy.
And alongside Bakuchiol, each product is a complex formulation of carefully selected ingredients that earn their place, complement one another and work towards our goal: healthy, radiant skin through all stages of life.
