Bakuchiol… we love how the word sounds (buh-koo-chee-oll) and we love what it does for our skin. While many Skincare brands have been buzzing about retinol for the past few years, at LeRêve we’re obsessed with bakuchiol. So what is it, what does it do, and how is it different to retinol?

Bakuchiol is the first natural alternative to retinol for anti-ageing. It’s 100% natural, extracted and purified from bakuchi seeds, which are often used in herbal remedies for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A powerful plant-derived ingredient, it possesses the same healing properties of retinol, but without the irritation. It’s been widely documented that retinol can cause sting, irritability and redness often associated with traditional retinoids. Rooted in healing, bakuchiol has a long history of being used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, however, it is just now being championed as a natural retinoid in Western skincare research.

Bakuchiol is a compound that naturally occurs in the seeds and leaves of the babchi plant (psoralea corylifolia) in the Indian subcontinent. It stimulates the production of collagen thereby preserving the strength and integrity of the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. It has been shown to significantly reduce the presence of UV-induced skin damage such as hyperpigmentation. It stimulates cell turnover, combatting dark spots and re-densifying the skin. Bakuchiol also boasts the ability to fight acne.

So, what’s better – bakuchiol or retinol?

A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology shows that bakuchiol is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve signs of skin ageing and that it is better tolerated. Over 12 weeks, 44 patients were asked to apply either 0.5 per cent bakuchiol cream or 0.5 per cent retinol cream every night. Researchers found that bakuchiol and retinol affected wrinkles and pigmentation similarly, but bakuchiol resulted in less scaling, stinging, burning and itching. The magic of bakuchiol is that it is suitable for all skin types and conditions, including dry, oily, dehydrated or sensitive. It’s a gentle solution for anyone wanting anti-ageing results without the irritation. While retinol is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, bakuchiol has no such warnings and is considered safe.

Bakuchiol is just one of the 39 hero ingredients used in the formulation of LeRêve Bio-Scientific Skincare. It is featured as a key ingredient in our Intensive Age-Reducing Super Serum, the ultimate natural solution for mature skin.