Bakuchiol: The Gentle Herbal Alternative To Retinol
If you’ve ever dabbled in skincare, chances are you’ve heard about retinol – a supposed holy grail for anti-aging and acne. The skincare world’s golden child.
But for all its hype, retinol has a reputation that’s as harsh as its effects on your skin. I know when I tried it I was left with a handful of side effects.
Itchiness, redness, my skin felt drier after using it. Worst of all? It burned – in that weird, cold way. Does that sound familiar?
I had to stop right away, and a completely full container of biodegradable retinol undereye patches are still in my bathroom drawer, untouched. A waste of money, and my time, unfortunately.
Enter Bakuchiol, the natural, plant-based alternative derived from the babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia). It’s here to challenge retinol’s reign, offering all the benefits without the baggage. I’ve been on the lookout for a natural, clean, herbal alternative, and I finally found it in the Ancient Tallow Serum. The best part is, it feels so light, breathable, and clean. Let’s dive into why this gentle herbal powerhouse deserves a permanent spot in your skincare routine.
What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is an extract from the seeds of the babchi plant, a staple in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. Historically, it’s been used to treat skin conditions like eczema, vitiligo, and psoriasis.
More recently, it’s gained recognition in the skincare world as a botanical alternative to retinol. I wish I had found this sooner, because now, I am using this serum every day. I was devastated when I realized I couldn’t use retinol – but not anymore.
Unlike retinol, which is a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, bakuchiol is completely natural, making it ideal for those looking to take a cleaner, greener approach to skincare. No peeling, no redness, with all the benefits – smoothing wrinkles, evening skintone, and brightening your complexion.
PLUS – bakuchiol is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and is an extremely powerful antioxidant. Give me all of the antioxides (not a real word) so I can be young forever, please.
How Bakuchiol Works: The Science Behind The Glow
Bakuchiol is packed with powerful bioactive compounds that work at the cellular level to rejuvenate your skin. It stimulates collagen production, which helps improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines, and smooth texture. Bakuchiol also inhibits melanin production, reducing dark spots and evening out skin tone over time. I am going to age soooo gracefully, just watch.
Unlike retinol, which can disrupt the skin barrier, (i.e, MINE) bakuchiol enhances it by promoting cell turnover in a gentler way. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals to protect your skin from environmental stressors. Combined with its natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, bakuchiol offers a holistic approach to skincare, and holistic is my middle name.
Why Retinol Isn’t All It’s Cracked Up To Be
Retinol may deliver short-term results, but it often comes with long-term risks and side effects, like the one’s I experienced:
Harshness: Retinol can cause peeling, redness, and irritation, especially for sensitive skin. This is why it burns for me, and for others.
Photosensitivity: It makes your skin more vulnerable to sun damage, essentially requiring constant sunscreen vigilance. While it may smooth things in the short term, it can cause longer term damage.
Thinning of the Skin: Long-term use of retinol can actually thin the skin, making it more fragile and prone to this damage. Not what I want, especially as I age.
Environmental Concerns: Many synthetic skincare ingredients, including retinol, have questionable sustainability and environmental impacts. This one hurts, especially knowing how prevalent retinol is right now.
In short, retinol is the skincare equivalent of sprinting – it might get you somewhere fast, but not without leaving you breathless and worn out.
Why Bakuchiol Is Better
Bakuchiol offers the same benefits of retinol, but it’s gentle enough to be used daily – even by those with sensitive skin like me, or conditions like eczema, like my partner. Here’s why I like it, (honestly there are more reasons but these are the important ones):
No Irritation: Unlike retinol, bakuchiol doesn’t cause redness, dryness, or peeling. It’s soothing and actually helps calm inflamed skin. No burning! Yay!
Boosts Collagen Naturally: Like retinol, bakuchiol stimulates collagen production, reducing fine lines and improving skin elasticity, but it does so without thinning the skin, which is I why I prefer it long-term.
Gentle Acne Treatment: Bakuchiol helps regulate oil production, unclog pores, and fight breakouts, all while being kind to your skin barrier. I absolutely destroyed the skin barrier under my eyes with retinol, so this was big for me.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial: Bakuchiol has natural properties that reduce inflammation and combat bacteria. I touch my face a lot – so this brings some comfort.
How To Incorporate Bakuchiol Into Your Routine
The beauty of bakuchiol is its versatility. You can pair it with virtually any other skincare ingredient, including acids, vitamin C, and peptides, without worrying about negative reactions or contraindications, as with most herbal remedies (not all, always be careful).
Look for serums, oils, or moisturizers containing bakuchiol, and use it once or twice daily for best results. While there are a couple on the market, I prefer the ancient tallow serum from Sky and Sol, because it works so well for me, I think its the best bakuchiol serum, and honestly I just love all their company stands for when it comes to natural, organic, clean skincare. To learn more about why Sky and Sol is the ultimate skincare company, read about them here.
The Herbal Beauty Revolution
What I love most about bakuchiol, outside of how my skin feels, is how it honors the wisdom of plants. As with all herbalism, this is a reminder that nature has always had the answers – we just have to listen. While retinol might promise instant gratification and is easier to get your hands on, bakuchiol offers something far more valuable: long-term, sustainable skin health rooted in gentle care.
If you’ve been burned (literally) by retinol, or you’re simply looking to green up your skincare routine, bakuchiol is a beautiful alternative that delivers results without compromise. Give it a try, and let your skin thrive the way nature intended.
What’s your experience with Retinol? Leave comments below~
