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What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a relatively newly discovered ingredient that provides similar benefits to retinol. It’s an oil sourced from the Indian plant “babchi” and has a monoterpene compound (a chemical structure often found in natural ingredients). It is also entirely vegan!
While only being discovered 58 years ago, and used commercially 15 years ago, it already has 29 scientific studies (for reference, that is significantly more than the normal rate for ingredient studies).
What does it do?
A study conducted in 2020 revealed that Bakuchiol not only increased skin moisture content by 16%, but also enhanced radiance by 33%, smoothness by 32%, and clarity of the skin by 48%. It has also proven to lower trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), the reason why we wake up with dry and tight skin.
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Why is it so effective?
Bakuchiol works at the genetic level to protect your skin from aging. Through gene expression, it binds and metabolizes your genes in a way that prevents fine lines and wrinkles by firming the skin. Since Bakuchiol works at the epidermal level, its results are more long lasting than most moisturizers. It has also been proven to stimulate collagen I, III, and IV production, greatly increasing your skin’s strength and elasticity.
In addition to preventing your skin from further aging, it also restores your skin by defending against oxidative stress and inflammation . Oxidative stress is the imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants, which often accelerates aging. By weakening the force at which oxygen species attack your cells, bakuchiol slows down the aging process. Inflammation caused by stress may cause your skin to appear red, wrinkled and prone to acne. However, Bakuchiol restricts the inflammatory response of genes, prolonging healthy cells and preventing further damage.
Bakuchiol is still new and has to be further explored, but its promising results are nothing to scoff at. Whether you’re on the lookout for a new skincare regimen or want to just start taking care of your skin, bakuchiol is a great place to start.
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[1] Draelos ZD, Gunt H, Zeichner J, Levy S. Clinical Evaluation of a Nature-Based Bakuchiol Anti-Aging Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin. J Drugs Dermatol. 2020 Dec 1;19(12):1181-1183. doi: 10.36849/JDD.2020.5522. PMID: 33346506.
[2] Liu H, Guo W, Guo H, Zhao L, Yue L, Li X, Feng D, Luo J, Wu X, Cui W, Qu Y. Bakuchiol Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Neuron Damage by Regulating Trx1/TXNIP and the Phosphorylation of AMPK After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice. Front Pharmacol. 2020 May 15;11:712. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00712. PMID: 32499702; PMCID: PMC7243250.
[3] Lim HS, Kim YJ, Kim BY, Jeong SJ. Bakuchiol Suppresses Inflammatory Responses Via the Downregulation of the p38 MAPK/ERK Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Jul 22;20(14):3574. doi: 10.3390/ijms20143574. PMID: 31336605; PMCID: PMC6678636.
