Retinol may be hailed as the gold-standard in reducing the visible signs of ageing, but now there’s a new ingredient gunning for the crown.
Dubbed the “natural retinol”, plant-based bakuchiol (pronounced ba-coochy- ol) has been found in clinical studies to offer similar rejuvenating effects – helping boost cell turnover and stimulate collagen production. And without the skin irritation that is sometimes associated with retinol.
Bakuchiol derives from the seeds and leaves of the Indian Babchi plant (its official name is the Psoralea Corylifolia). It’s been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries and has been found to provide anti-oxidant skin protection from daily environmental and lifestyle stress.
It also has calming anti-inflammatory and healing antibacterial properties – making it a real find for all-matter of skin ageing concerns including lessened lines, wrinkles and pigmentation too.
Even those with sensitive skin, or those that haven’t got on with retinol in the past, will be able to enjoy the benefits of bakuchiol. It’s even safe to use while pregnant and breastfeeding, unlike retinol. And it’s a vegan-ingredient, so great for those that follow a plant-based lifestyle.
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You can use it in the day or night, or both, as it doesn’t make your skin more sensitive to the sun like retinol does. You’ll find the ingredient in serums, oils, boosters and eye creams. Interestingly, “it’s safe to use alongside other actives too” says skincare expert Abigail James.
How we tested
To put these finds to the test, we rounded-up the latest bakuchiol skincare products . We judged them for all-round rejuvenating results on lines, wrinkles, blemishes, skin tone and texture, and found some really great skincare buys.
The best bakuchiol skincare products for 2021 are:
- Best overall – Biossance squalane and phyto-retinol serum: £55, Cultbeauty.co.uk
- Best for quick results – Medik8 bakuchiol peptides: £49, Medik8.com
- Best serum – Oskia super 16 advanced nutri-active collagen serum: £94, Lookfantastic.com
- Best for CBD and bakuchiol hybrid – This Works my wrinkles CBD booster and bakuchiol: £28.80, Lookfantastic.com
- Best for pigmentation and discolouration – Allies of Skin mandelic pigmentation corrector night serum: £47.50, Harrods.com
- Best for a luxe feel – Olivanna London bakuchiol miracle night serum: £84, Olivanna.com
- Best budget buy – Boots Ingredients bakuchiol serum: £7, Boots.com
- Best for vegans – Philosophy nature in a jar skin reset serum: £40.85, Feelunique.com
- Best oil – Omorovicza miracle facial oil: £85, Omorovicza.co.uk