With the advent of a new generation of over-the-counter retinol products, including the highly successful Retinol cream, we are seeing a shift in consumer interest for products that will help combat the signs of aging in their skin. As a result, the spotlight has been turned on the next generation of anti-aging products that could serve the skin just as well as retinol, but with a less severe side effect profile.
Bakuchiol is a member of a group of plant-derived compounds and a retinol alternative that have been known to have beneficial effects on skin for years, thanks in large part to the results obtained from studies with retinol.
In traditional Asian medicine, the root of bakuchiol has been used as a retinol alternative to improve immune function, support the liver, protect the gut, and improve skin and mucosa. When used externally, bakuchiol is a popular ingredient in various topical creams and tonics that help restore the health of the skin. It is highly valued for its anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to help with conditions such as inflammatory skin, eczema, acne, and psoriasis.
Most Western cosmeceuticals contain ingredients that will help you improve your skin, including peptides, retinol, and even retinaldehyde. However, if you’re looking for something that is a retinol alternative, natural, inexpensive, and has proven anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, bakuchiol might be just what you need. Boswellia is a naturally occurring plant that’s found across India, Burma, and Indonesia, and it contains several different types of active compounds. Among these is bakuchiol. The active compound bakuchiol is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been shown to help with conditions such as psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Bakuchiol comes from the root of Boswellia serrata, and this plant has been used to support the health of the gut, promote hair growth, and support immunity. It is also known to contain anti-inflammatory compounds that have been shown to be beneficial for conditions such as inflammatory skin. It is a known antibacterial, and it has been used in the treatment of acne. While a review of the efficacy and safety of Boswellia has not been conducted, the evidence for efficacy has been well researched and extensively reviewed.
The focus of many dermatologists has been on the safety of retinol, which is a powerful retinoid that promotes growth and proliferation in the skin. Retinol has also been reported to help with the overall appearance of the skin. Unfortunately, there are many unpleasant side effects that are associated with the use of retinol, such as drying of the skin, burning, and itching. As a result, there has been a lot of effort to find new, more effective anti-aging agents that are safe.
Topical retinaldehyde has been one such alternative. It is a synthetic compound that mimics the effects of retinol and has been reported to be much more potent and effective than retinol. Unfortunately, retinaldehyde is extremely irritating to the skin, and as a result, only a minimal amount can be safely applied to the skin. Even with a very low dose, skin irritation and burning have been reported.
The development of bakuchiol for topical use is a welcome development that provides a retinol alternative, and although we still have a lot to learn about the efficacy of bakuchiol for anti-aging, it is likely to prove to be another excellent product for skin care.
