Bakuchiol has been a buzz ingredient for the last year or two, said to be a non-irritating alternative to retinol. However, is this another clever marketing trick to help us part with our hard-earned cash, or does it actually hold some weight? Find out more below with a detailed comparison and get my initial thoughts on Medik8’s exciting new launch the Bakuchiol Peptides serum.
What is Retinol?
We all know that Retinol is the gold standard when it comes to Anti-aging skin care ingredients (Other than SPF of course!)
Retinol has been extensively studied and researched and has been proven to help reverse the signs of aging.
It is the closest we are going to get to the fountain of youth.
Some of the benefits of retinol are as follows:
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Increases production of collagen
- Improves skin tone
- Neutralises free radicals
- Accelerates skin turnover
- Blurs acne marks and blemishes
So what’s the problem?
The fountain of youth comes with a price. That price is irritation and dry, flaky skin. Some users have even experienced their skin literally peeling off their faces. It’s not pretty!
However, once you move past this initial period you can achieve the plump smooth skin you had in your younger years, so surely a little irritation is worth it right?
Wrong. Well at least for some of us.
For those of us that have certain skin conditions such as Rosacea, or anyone suffering from any form of sensitive skin type, the irritation that comes with retinol use is absolutely not worth it.
In addition, if you are pregnant, retinol can interfere with the development of your baby, and whilst breastfeeding it can be consumed by your baby through your milk.
So what do we do?
Let me introduce you to Bakuchiol.
What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a naturally occurring compound sourced from the plant ‘Psoralea Corylifolia’ found in the Indian subcontinent.
It is said to offer similar skincare advantages as retinol.
So what are some of the benefits of Bakuchiol:
- Stimulates collagen
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Reduces UV damage
- Reduces hyperpigmentation
- Improves skin brightness
- Boosts Firmness and tone
As you can see there are quite a few similarities between the two ingredients.
In addition, it is claimed that Bakuchiol does not come with any irritation.
Therefore if the claims are true, Bakuchiol could give us the fountain of youth without the side effects. We could have our cake AND eat it.
Bakuchiol Versus Retinol.
The attributes of both ingredients do seem to be very similar, with only one real difference in attributes that I can see.
Acne.
Retinol is not just a great ingredient for Anti-aging purposes. It is also fantastic at managing acne and the scarring left behind. I cannot find any real evidence stating that Bakuchiol has a similar effect on this particular skin condition and would therefore not suggest Bakuchiol is a worthy alternative in that respect.
However, if you are looking for anti-aging benefits then Bakuchiol looks to be a worthy contender.
Whilst Bakuchiol does not have the ‘proven’ claim backing its efficacy, we do need to remember it is still quite a new ingredient and extensive reports and studies take time.
I have been intrigued by Bakuchiol for some time now as I wondered if this little purple ingredient could be the answer to my sensitive skin aging woes.
Well, I received a sign earlier this week that gave me the final push I needed.
Medik8 a brand I love and trust announced a new release. The Bakuchiol Peptides serum. I obviously raced to check out faster than you can say Bakuchiol!
Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum.
Now as far as I am concerned Medik8 are the retinol gods. They are literally known for their retinol. So if the retinol gods deem Bakuchiol a worthy anti-aging ingredient then I am more than willing to give it a go. What do I have to lose?
So lets take a look at the formula:
- 1.25% of pure Bakuchiol (not the watered-down stuff doing the rounds)
- Peptides (to aid collagen production)
- Centella Asiatica ( rich in amino and fatty acids)
An exceptional formula I am sure you will agree. Could this be the anti-aging powerhouse I had been looking for? Well, there was only one way to find out!
After cleansing and applying my usual essence and Hyaluronic serum, I applied the Bakuchiol Peptides serum.
It has a lightweight, oil consistency that glides over the skin with ease. I did not experience any initial irritation or redness which is major for me when introducing a new skincare ingredient into my routine.
I left it to sit there doing it’s things for a few minutes and then applied my night cream and tottered off to bed.
The following morning I dashed straight for the mirror. Upon close inspection this is what I found:
- My skin was a tad dry. Not Sahara desert dry like it would be had I used retinol, but still, there was a little dryness. This however disappeared once I completed my morning skincare routine.
- The other noticeable difference was just how smooth my skin felt. Like baby bum smooth! I spent the whole day stroking my face.
- There was also a little brightness to my complexion and dare I say it, a more plump appearance?
Now clearly I cannot confirm after one use that Bakuchiol is a worthy contender in the retinol stakes but I can confirm that it is absolutely worth a try.
To Summarise.
I am not a scientist or a doctor and therefore cannot confirm that Bakuchiol is in fact an alternative to retinol.
However, having researched both ingredients I can confirm that they definitely do have similarities.
If you are unable to use retinol for whatever reason I would recommend trying Bakuchiol. I have only tried the Medik8 formulation and therefore cannot confirm other formulations will have the same effect.
Regardless of whether Bakuchiol is an alternative to retinol, it is a fantastic skincare ingredient in its own right. The Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides serum is a beautiful formula and consistency and I am excited to see what continued use will bring.
Priced at £45.00 for 30ml, you can grab yours here.
If you want to follow my journey I post regular updates on all things skin on my Instagram account here.
If you are interested in reading more skincare reviews, I have a great article here.
Have a lovely day you lovely lot.