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Scared of Retinol? This Natural Ingredient Dubbed ‘Herbal-tox’ Could be the Answer

Scared of Retinol? This Natural Ingredient Dubbed ‘Herbal-tox’ Could be the Answer

29 July, 2024

by lauren ezekiel

Getty / Tanja Ivanova

There’s no doubt when it comes to anti-ageing ingredients retinol is regarded as the holy grail. Beauty fans are smitten with this form of vitamin A thanks to its ability to increase cell turnover and consequently reduce fine lines, combat acne, and tackle pigmentation.

However, some people can find it is too strong for their skin and become worried about using it – especially those who are just starting out with a skincare routine. There is also a lot of misunderstanding on how and when to use it and if its suitable for those with sensitive skin, which is why more and more people are searching for natural alternatives.

Research by Absolute Collagen found searches for ‘natural retinols’ are up 50% this year, showing the growing demand for products that mimic the effects of retinoids with less risk of irritation.

One of these powerful, plant-based alt-retinols garnering particular attention is bakuchiol, with a 200% surge in searches for ‘bakuchiol benefits for skin’ this year. An ingredient derived from babchi leaves and seeds, it’s been used by Chinese and Indian medical practitioners for decades. More recently, it’s been discovered that this 100% natural ingredient has anti-ageing properties for the skin, giving it the moniker “herbal botox”.

This research suggests that bakuchiol works much like retinol by increasing cell turnover to improve both skin clarity and texture. However, unlike retinol, which can sometimes be irritating on this skin, bakuchiol is much more gentle. It’s therefore a great option for those with sensitive skin, as well as pregnant women who should avoid retinol but don’t want to compromise on results.

Experts Featured in This Article

Darcy Laceby Skincare expert and co-founder of Absolute Collage

Darcy Laceby, skincare expert, is a big fan of this alternative ingredient. “Due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ageing properties, bakuchiol has become a powerful and popular skincare ingredient,” she explains. “It’s these properties that can have an amazing impact on your skin, helping to improve the appearance of wrinkles, even skin texture, and support skin firmness. Another great perk of bakuchiol is that it is a very gentle ingredient, suitable for sensitive and dry skin types.”

“A lot of bakuchiol’s benefits are similar to retinol, particularly its ability to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” she tells PS UK. And while these ingredients are comparable, there are a number of reasons why bakuchiol might be a better choice for your daily skincare routine. “For starters, retinol can come with a string of irritating side effects, which include increased skin sensitivity and redness, often known to #skintok followers as the ‘retinol purge’. You actually need a build up a tolerance to retinol, which is a far cry from the gentle, soothing nature of bakuchiol serum.

“Retinol isn’t suitable for everyone, either,” she adds. “Firstly, it shouldn’t be used in the daytime, and it’s also not suitable for frequent use by those pregnant or breastfeeding. In contrast, bakuchiol oil or serum is safe when both pregnant and breastfeeding.”

Read on to see our favourite products that harness the potential power of bakuchiol.