Retinol Vs Bakuchiol

Also why Bakuchiol is the new Retinol.
If you are going to stay at home for days (or don’t have other options thanks to CoVid-19) this is your time to start using retinol!
 
Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that naturally occurs in our skin and, when absorbed, it converts in retinol acid, which stimulates the production of skin cells at a genetical level. It is an anti-oxidant that decreases the degradation of elastin and collagen.
 
Retinol can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, hyperpigmentation, acne, oily skin, and rosacea. It smooths your skin texture.
 
You can start using it in your late 20s as an amazing aging preventative.
 
It is suggested to use it every other night as, at the beginning of the treatment, you skin becomes flaky and red but it will disappear with time. This period is called the ‘’retinol uglies’’ and everybody goes through it. It all really depends how sensitive your skin is. Please if it really burns or is too unbearable stop using it straight away.
 
Retinol can be also drying to the skin when used for a prolonged period of time or in concentrations that are too high.
 
Retinol strength is not always specified on the product’s packaging but it usually goes from 0.01% to 1%.
 
If you have a sensitive skin, are pregnant or brestfeeding or, simply like me, want to use an natural alternative when available, then Bakuchiol is your ingredient!
 Bakuchiol is a plant extract abundant in seeds and leaves of the plant Psoralea corylifolia. Is apt for vegans, cruelty free and 100% natural. It’s been around for years, being used in Ayurveda treatments before. It’s so gentle that doesn’t produce redness or flakiness to your skin. It’s been proved to be equally effective than retinol and you can use it the same way you use your retinol serum.
 
As found in British dermatology journal February 2019 and agreed in Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.: early studies have suggested that bakuchiol is a functional analogue of topical retinoids, showing similar gene expression in the skin and leading to significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall reduction in photo-damage was observed, without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects. The study demonstrates that bakuchiol is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve photoaging and is better tolerated than retinol.