The Amazing Skincare Ingredient You Need To Opt For

- OCT 23, 2018 TUESDAY

You might’ve come across retinol quite a few times by now. The magical skincare ingredient is able to smooth out wrinkles and zap away spots. Retinol sorcery is able to restore any skin to that soft baby skin status of yore– kind of. Only downside? It can be quite aggressive on sensitive skin.

I introduce you to bakuchiol, retinol’s gentler sister.

What is Retinol?

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A, an ingredient that promotes skin renewal and enhances collagen production (which starts to decline in your 30s). As well as lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, retinol can also reverse some of the side effects of sun damage.

“Retinol is perhaps the best-studied ingredient we have to fight fine lines and wrinkles,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “However, many people cannot tolerate it, because it’s known to cause skin irritation and sensitivity to the sun.”

Why you should opt for bakuchiol instead

Bakuchiol is a natural alternative to retinol. It’s taken from the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant, and has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine for decades.

Just like retinol, bakuchiol stimulates collagen production for a more elastic, youthful-looking skin, strengthens the skin’s foundation, and minimises the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

But what actually makes bakuchiol superior to retinol is that it’s gentle and even soothing to the skin, rather than sensitising, and it can be used safely during pregnancy — unlike retinol and other retinoids, which OB/GYNs recommend avoiding.

Is it suitable for my skin?

While retinol is an amazing product, it can be a bit too aggressive for those with sensitive skin, giving you a red, dry and irritated skin. Often people would overload on moisturiser to combat it.

Bakuchiol however, is suitable for all skin types including dry, oily, combination, sensitive and normal. A natural, non-irritating alternative to retinol that’s just as powerful? Yes, please. Also, while some forms of retinol are derived from animals, bakuchiol is completely vegan.