It’s hard to argue against the benefits of retinol, whether it’s reversing sun damage, fading fine lines and wrinkles, or clearing up acne. Even better: Retinol has undergone a tremendous amount of research to back up the benefits it’s known for.
Nevertheless, retinol has its downsides, especially when it comes to side effects. Peeling and burning are almost to be expected in many cases, and it’s also not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Needless to say, bakuchiol has made headway as an alternative to retinol, not only for wrinkle care, but also for acne.
Could bakuchiol be the next holy grail for acne-prone skin? This article is here to help you find out.
What is Bakuchiol?
Found in the leaves and seeds of the Psoralea corylifoliaplant, bakuchiol has recently been reported as a “retinol alternative”; and with all of the potential side effects retinol is known for, this makes it a welcome staple in many skincare routines.
When it comes to using retinol, two of the most common side effects include the potential to cause discomfort and irritation. On top of that, retinol products are often made in a relatively unstable formula and tend to have shorter shelf lives. As a result, scientific experts and marketers have been searching for skincare alternatives for some time, something that can deliver the benefits of retinol without its side effects and instability.
Bakuchiol has been shown to perform skincare functions that are commonly associated with retinoids such as retinol, retinal, and retinoic acid; these functions include clearing acne, fading hyperpigmentation, and diminishing signs of aging. While the results of a Study conducted by the FDA aiming to compare retinol and bakuchiol head-to-head remains to be expected, surrounding studies have shown great promise.
For example, a trial observing a mixture of bakuchiol, melatonin and vitamin C over 12 weeks revealed that participants had fewer wrinkles, firmer skin and an overall improved complexion.
And in a small study in the British Journal of Dermatology, bakuchiol was found to be just as effective as retinol in fading fine lines, but with significantly less burning and flaking.
Benefits of Bakuchiol for acne-prone skin
Main vegetable source of Bakuchiol, Psoralea corylifolia, has a long track record in skincare, dating back centuries in Eastern medicine. In the modern age, the extract known as bakuchiol has captured the interest of medical experts for a myriad of reasons.
For starters, bakuchiol has been shown to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antibacterial properties. This is great news for your skincare regimen, as it means bakuchiol has the potential to protect skin not only from oxidative stress caused by free radicals, but also from inflammation. And as most experts will tell you, inflammation is one of the root causes of acne.
Bakuchiol may also have the power to reduce sebum production in the skin. Oily skin is the result of excessive sebum production by the sebaceous glands in the skin, whether caused by a reaction to a drying product, or even by genetics or hormones.
Although some have suggested that bakuchiol can control oil levels, there are many ingredients that can be used to manage oily skin. It can also help gently exfoliate the skin so pores can clear properly. We recommend an enzymatic exfoliant, which gently removes dead skin and sebum. Tea tree oil can also work wonders for oily skin since it is both anti-inflammatory and antifungal, and you can find it in our Deep Detox Tea Tree Mask.
As we can see, bakuchiol can benefit acne-prone skin in several ways, and it’s getting better: it can even help with acne scars.
In the case of superficial acne, the scars tend to fade evenly. But in the case of cystic acne, ruptured cysts are more likely to damage the follicular wall, which can worsen inflammation.
Some research showed that applying bakuchiol to the skin can reduce lesions while improving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). This means clearer, smoother skin in less time.
How to Incorporate Bakuchiol into Your Skincare Routine
While bakuchiol’s acne benefits already sound great, let’s add even more good news: it’s easy to incorporate into your skincare routine!
Although bakuchiol has been shown to cause few side effects, it is recommended for all actives that you start using a little at a time, usually 1-2 times per week. Generally, bakuchiol works best when used in the evening so that it can promote skin repair while you rest.
Bakuchiol is available in a wide range of different products, and at 100% PURE you will find the following:
For irritated skin: Bakuchiol Cleaner
This gentle yet powerful cleanser offers a safer, more natural alternative to retinol to stimulate cell turnover for a smoother, clearer complexion.
For dehydrated skin: Bakuchiol Moisturizer
This softening and hydrating moisturizer is made with the percentage of Bakuchiol proven in clinical studies for the best results.
For oily skin: Bakuchiol Oil Serum
This face oil offers all the corrective benefits of bakuchiol, combined with nourishing ingredients like squalane, sunflower oil and jojoba oil.
For the dullness: 18.3% Active Ingredients Vitamin C Glow Max Bright Mask
This supercharged treatment combines CoQ10 with Vitamin E and Bakuchiol to transform and brighten skin for a healthy glow.
Bakuchiol for Acne: Final Thoughts
While bakuchiol doesn’t boast the stacks of research you get with its counterpart retinol, there’s growing evidence to support its benefits, and that includes acne.
In addition to calming inflammation, bakuchiol may also have the power to fade acne scars and manage skin oiliness. Best of all, bakuchiol is known to have few side effects, making it a cinch to incorporate into your skincare routine. That being said, it’s always best to slowly incorporate any type of new product.
