Is bakuchiol oil better than retinol?
Bakuchiol is considered a gentle alternative to retinol. It can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and make your skin look smoother.
Bakuchiol is widely sought after and included in the list of cosmetic raw materials. Many laboratory studies and clinical trials have found that it has good anti-aging and antioxidant effects, and is a very potential cosmetic active ingredient.
A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology showed that using 0.5% bakuchiol cream or 0.5% retinol cream twice a day for more than 12 weeks found that bakuchiol has the same potential as retinol in improving skin aging, but it is gentler, better tolerated, and has fewer side effects such as stinging and burning.
Bakuchiol activates retinol receptors in cells, working in a similar way to retinol.
Bakuchiol boosts the production of types I, III, and IV collagen more effectively than retinol.
Collagen is an important substance that makes the skin young. For example, type I and type III collagen are the main components of the skin's extracellular matrix, which can enrich the skin's internal structure and make the skin look fuller and plumper. Type IV collagen is the main component of the basement membrane, which can play a supporting and tightening role. If enough collagen is produced, the skin will naturally be firm and elastic.
Bakuchiol can increase the synthesis of COLⅠ and the expression of mRNA, downregulate the synthesis of MMPs protein and the expression of mRNA, thereby reducing the decomposition of collagen, increasing the synthesis of COLⅠ in HSF cells, and ultimately preventing and treating photoaging of HSF cells.
Retinol is a form of vitamin A that can help improve the appearance of skin and make it smoother. But it can also cause side effects for people with sensitive skin. It can cause redness, dryness, inflammation, and itching or burning sensations, Dr. Khetarpal noted.
Bakuchiol works similarly to retinol and can help:
(1)Reduce the signs of wrinkles and fine lines.
(2) Improve skin sagging.
(3)Reduce sun damage and dark spots.
(4)Give skin a fresh, radiant look.
(5) Prevent clogged pores.
(6) Provide antioxidant properties.
Reference
[1]. Clinical and biophysical assessment of the effects of daily use of a nature-based, broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen containing bakuchiol in photoaged skin (Draelos et al., 2022)
[2]. Clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of a new 3-in-1 anti-aging topical night serum-in-oil containing melatonin, bakuchiol, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate (Goldberg et al., 2019).
