Retinol has been used for many years, and remains to be popular in todays beauty world; but with the
new craze of clean and vegan beauty, consumers have been searching for a less harsh and more natural
alternative. Enter in Bakuchiol, which is produced from the leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. Both
retinol and bakuchiol can give a more youthful appearance the time and amount it takes to see the
effects differ.
What is Retinol?
More superior to bakuchiol but has more side effects that can occur when using it. Retinol can cause
excessive drying of the skin. Read more here The Difference between Retinol and Retinoids Retinols can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a
dermatologist. Prescription strengths are stronger than any strength you will find over the counter.
Benefits of prescription retinol can be seen within weeks of use, while over the counter retinols typically
take at least 6 months for noticeable improvement in the skin. Along with being drying and irritating,
retinols make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so they are best applied nightly during ones nighttime
regime. Since retinol can be irritating, it is recommended to start with a single application daily. Lastly
before thinking about trying out retinols, it is important to remember that there is an adjustment period
skin goes through, commonly referred to as the purging period, when the skin tends to breakout more
before clearing up.
What is Bakuchiol?
Derived from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant, is the wonderous clean, and vegan
alternative to retinol called bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is safe for all skin types other than hyper sensitive
since natural plant oils can often be irritating to skin that is very sensitive. Irritation is not a worry for
those with mild sensitive or non sensitive skin because bakuchiol is an anti-inflammatory ingredient
and calms redness in the skin. While it can provide the user with the benefits seen when using
retinol, the time it takes to see them is much longer because it is not as strong as retinol. On average
it takes up to 6 weeks compared to the average 3 weeks of noticeable results from retinol. That is
also when bakuchiol is applied at least 2 x daily. Because bakuchiol is universally safe, you can start
with a twice a day application. Also unlike how excessisvely drying retinol is, bakuchiol is a natural
humectant that keeps skin hydrated throughout the day, making it a great addition to dry skin
routines.
Remember that just because you have tried using a retinol before does not mean that it will not work
for you now. The strength could’ve been too strong, but a lower strength will work wonders. If you
are vegan or prefer less harsh ingredients then bakuchiol is the anti-aging ingredient for you.