What Is Bakuchiol: Benefits, Side Effects, and How to Use It

If you love powering your self-care and beauty routine with the magic of plants, then you’ll be delighted to hear about bakuchiol. Bakuchiol is a powerful plant-based ingredient ideal for sensitive skin beauties, and it has officially entered the chat.

While not new by any means, bakuchiol is an herb commonly used in Indian Ayurvedic and Eastern medicines for centuries to soothe and support the skin. Yet, it’s making its debut as a trending, sought-after ingredient in holistic and clean beauty. While the name is fun to say, it just may deserve our serious attention. Let’s learn about some of bakuchiol's transformative properties. 

What Is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a botanical extract derived from the leaves and seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant aka the "babchi" plant native to India and Sri Lanka. The renewed interest stems from its ability to promote healthy and youthful-looking skin. Bakuchiol can help rejuvenate collagen and restore skin firmness, refine texture, and targets the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, common blemishes, and hyperpigmentation. It is also an antioxidant, providing some support from everyday oxidative stress in the environment.

Bakuchiol vs. Retinol: What’s the Difference?

Topical retinoids are vitamin A-based derivatives that promote cellular turnover for smoother and more radiant skin. They have typically been used as the gold standard by dermatologists for smoothing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines and brightening skin. However, depending on the strength and application, there can be temporary side effects.

While retinoids are a longtime and clinically studied staple in skincare, they may have an adjustment period until skin has developed a tolerance for them. Some people with more sensitive skin can take different trial-and-error approaches to check their initial tolerance to the ingredient.

Bakuchiol, on the other hand, has similar skin-smoothing properties and is very gentle on the skin, so you get visibly firmer and brighter skin without any adjustment period. It also is believed to have properties making it beneficial for those struggling with occasional breakouts and the appearance of fine lines. Sounds like a dream to us. In fact, using bakuchiol and retinol together can enhance their benefits and work like a dream team to help reveal your inner radiance and youthful glow.

How Does Bakuchiol Benefit Skin?

Here are some reasons we love bakuchiol for its renewing and skin-beautifying abilities.

Even the skin tone: Bakuchiol helps lessen the appearance of discoloration from acne or areas of hyperpigmentation from the sun, giving a smooth, even-toned, and brightened complexion. 

Reduces the appearance of fine lines: Fine lines and wrinkles have a diminished appearance because of the plumping effect from supported collagen production.

Easy on sensitivity: Bakuchiol works gently on the surface of the skin and is easy on sensitive skin. It’s especially enhanced if used with additional nourishing ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid.

Accelerates cellular regeneration: Bakuchiol stimulates healthy collagen production and cell turnover that has a rejuvenating and visibly transformative effect on the skin. It promotes skin elasticity, helping skin appear younger and firmer.

Suitable for all skin types: Bakuchiol can be applied to most skin types, as it’s very gentle on skin. 

Helps soothe: By supporting your skin’s normal cell regeneration and renewed collagen, bakuchiol is gentle on blemish-prone skin.

Side Effects of Bakuchiol

While bakuchiol is considered gentle, introducing a new ingredient to your skin, there is still a risk of sensitivity. That means that until your skin becomes accustomed to bakuchiol, use it slowly at first. Apply it two or three times per week during the first week.

How to Use Bakuchiol in Your Skin Care Routine

If your skin is particularly sensitive or prone to dryness, use a hydrating product with bakuchiol, which will act as a buffer for your skin. First, cleanse and dry your skin, then apply a serum like Tru Alchemy’s Glow Serum. Reveal your skin’s inner radiance with this deeply nurturing serum formulated with ultra-potent and brightening vitamin C and balancing niacinamide.

For extra-nourishing hydration, pair it with our Quench Crème blended with botanical lipids and rice protein for dewy, glowing skin. Added bakuchiol is meant to brighten the skin, target the appearance of wrinkles, and encourage natural collagen production. It’s deeply moisturizing and leaves the skin soft and plump.

Best of all, you can use bakuchiol up to twice per day, morning and night! We use it during the day, but make sure to apply sunscreen as a final step in the morning to protect skin.

Bakuchiol is a multitasking almost-magical botanical, so it’s no wonder it's taking the holistic beauty industry by storm! Those with sensitive skin can rejoice that their skin concerns are finally being heard, and there’s a naturally derived solution for maintaining your inner youthful radiance.

We’ve always looked to harness plants' potent, renewing energy to make magic. Bakuchiol truly embodies the botanical alchemy of transforming ordinary earthly elements and revealing something new and vibrant, making it the perfect addition to your skincare ritual.