The Top 7 Benefits of Bakuchiol: Nature's Retinol

Enter: Bakuchiol. Touted as nature's retinol, bakuchiol has been shown to have almost the very same benefits for the skin as retinol, without the sensitising side effects. Still unsure as to whether or not bakuchiol products will be right for your skin? Read on to discover some of the benefits of bakuchiol as well as our guide to the very best bakuchiol serums, creams and anti ageing products.

1. Bakuchiol can help to plump up fine lines and wrinkles

Bakuchiol has near-identical benefits to retinol as it can help to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by improving the skin's overall elasticity. Bakuchiol does this by stimulating the body's natural production of collagen, leading to plumper, firmer looking skin.

2. It's great for fading pigmentation

Much like retinol, Bakuchiol can work to increase the skin's cell turnover, meaning that older, dryer, discoloured skin cells are "shed," making way for fresh, new skin cells. Through this cell turnover process, uneven pigmentation appears to fade, as do age spots and dark sun damage.

3. Bakuchiol is a potent acne treatment

Increased cell turnover isn't just great for pigmentation, it's great for acne too! By speeding up that cell turnover process, Bakuchiol can clear the pores of dead, dry cells that may be causing blockages and, in turn, acne.

4. Bakuchiol won't sensitise the skin like retinol can

While studies have shown that the effects of bakuchiol on wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation and age spots are exactly the same, there's one area in which bakuchiol comes out on top in the Retinol vs Bakuchiol debate- skin sensitisation. Retinol has been known to cause an

irritating, sensitising reaction in some skin types, a side effect that Bakuchiol doesn't possess. This means that those with reactive skin who have previously had to forgo the benefits of retinol can finally experience them through Bakuchiol!

5. It's all natural

Bakuchiol is, as mentioned, nature's alternative to retinol, making it the perfect anti-ageing ingredient for those (like me!) who favour natural and organic skincare products over their synthetic counterparts.

6. Unlike retinol, Bakuchiol can be used in the morning

Due to retinol's skin-sensitising effects on the skin, you can only use retinol in the evenings- which is fine, but it means that if you wake up with dull, tired looking skin, you'll have to wait until the evenings before you can slather on your favourite serum. Bakuchiol doesn't have those sensitising effects on the skin, meaning you can apply it as part of your morning skincare routine without having to worry about photosensitisation and sun damage.

7. You can use Bakuchiol twice a day

Again, because Bakuchiol isn't irritating to the skin, you can actually apply it twice a day! This is a particularly great point for those of us who are too busy to put together separate morning and evening skincare routines, and just want to reach for a product and apply it without a second thought.

Our favourite natural Bakuchiol skincare products

Ready to work Bakuchiol into your skincare routine? Start with the Nourished Life Bakuchiol Reparative Day Cream. This moisturiser can be used daily to brighten the skin with 100% plant-derived Bakuchiol.

Given that Bakuchiol can be applied twice daily, why not work it into your evening skincare routine too?! We love the Nourished Life Bakuchiol Overnight Mask, which delivers an intense hit of natural Bakuchiol to the skin while you sleep, allowing you to wake up with brighter, smoother, younger looking skin.

If you're already using a natural day moisturiser and night cream that you can't bare to part with, simply work a Bakuchiol oil or serum into your existing routine. We love the Nourished Life Bakuchiol Restorative Serum, which can be applied after cleansing and before moisturiser.

Shop our full range of natural, Bakuchiol-rich skincare products online now and read more about Bakuchiol here.