Bakuchiol Vs Retinol: Which is better for you?

Retinol & Bakuchiol

Retinol (Vitamin A) is a well-known and beloved ingredient for those, who are looking for the best anti-aging beauty products. Its main property is that it can make imperfections and wrinkles on the skin more smooth. However, people with sensitive or normal skin often report that retinol may cause skin irritation.

Bakuchiol is also an anti-aging ingredient, which comes from the Psoralea corylifolia plant (so it is vegan friendly) and is recommended as a very good alternative to retinol.

This ingredient is used in traditional Chinese medicine and Indian Ayurveda for skin skin and treatment of skin conditions.

What is retinol & what are its properties?

Retinol is a mild compound, which belongs to retinoids. Retinoid compounds are chemically related to vitamin A, and are used in anti aging products. Pure retinol products for the face are very popular, as people look for them in both creams and serums.

Retinoids stimulate collagen formation and thus reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, they are used in acne or hyperpigmentation treatments. With frequent use of retinoids, the skin becomes brighter. Its use is usually recommended by experts, for 6-12 months.

Retinoids offer the following benefits to the skin:

• They reduce greasiness
• They stimulate collagen production
• They help to treat blemishes
• They soothe the production of excessive pigmentation
• They prevent the breakdown of existing collagen

Which ones are the retinoids?

Although retinol is known to the general public, it is a fact that retinoids are not as famous. Below are the members of the retinoid family (from 1, the most effective to 5, the mildest):

• Retinoic acid, which is only available with a prescription
• Retinoid acid esters
• Retinol, the most famous member
• Retinaldehyde
• Retinolesters, the mildest

Some of the best products with retinol are:

1. La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum. Anti-wrinkle serum with pure retinol and vitamin B3.
2. Version Retinol AHA cream. Regeneration cream with retinol and fruit acids
3. Ahava pRetinol Cream. It combines beta-carotene (pro-retinol) and an infusion of fruit, peptides and hyaluronic acid, for an impressive glowing effect.
4. Darphin Ideal Resource Retinol Oil Concentrate. Retinol capsules with herbal extracts, for face and eyes.

Retinol Side Effects

When using retinol, you should take certain precautions (and carefully read the instructions for use of the product you wish to use). Exposure to sunlight should be minimized as this increases the risk of sunburn. For this reason, retinol products are recommended to be used at night.

Also, you should use a face sunscreen with a high SPF if you apply retinoids to your face, as the skin is more prone to burns.

Extra tips for retinol

The following tips will help you make the best use of retinol.

• Don’t expect to see immediate results. Retinoids need often use, and you will start to see visible results from the 12th week of use.
• Start using it gradually, and with small amounts. In this way, you will see if your skin can accept it.
• Oily skin is more tolerant of retinol than dry skin.
• Use one new product at a time so you know if your skin can tolerate it.
• If you put more retinol on your skin than necessary, it can turn red and peel. This does not mean that you have an allergy, but that you should use less (or reduce it until the skin gets used to it).

However, if your skin is sensitive/dry or intolerant to retinol, there’s bakuchiol!

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is an anti aging skin ingredient derived from a herb. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties, similar to those of collagen. For the above reasons, it is recommended as a treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, signs of aging and blemishes. Using it, it takes about six weeks (using 2 times/day) to see visible results.

It is, moreover, a good choice to be used by younger skins, as a prevention of aging. Oxidative stress makes these marks appear more intense, while bakuchiol helps reduce their depth and appearance.

As bakuchiol is a newer discovery than retinol, there aren’t many studies/papers proving its effectiveness. A recent study compared the use of retinol and bakuchiol as anti aging treatments. The results of twice-daily bakuchiol use are similar to once-daily retinol (and with less irritation in participants who applied bakuchiol).

You can find bakuchiol in many products, including:

• Day creams
• Night creams
• Serum
• Facial oils
• Anti-acne treatments

Bakuchiol products that have drown attention are:

1. Lierac Cica-Filler Serum. Anti-wrinkle serum with Bakuchiol pro-collagen, used as a 30-day treatment. In the same product series, there is also a cream with Bakuchiol.
2. Avene DermAbsolu Masque Fondamental. Antiaging facial mask for cell regeneration with Bakuchiol, niacinamide, pro-vitamin C and Avene thermal water.
3. Skincode Prestige Night Serum. Night serum that combines Bakuchiol with 10% stabilized Vitamin C. You will find it in a package with the day serum for complete treatment.

Which is better?

Bakuchiol can be used morning and evening. Thanks to its natural origin, it is safe for frequent use in your daily beauty routine. It can be used by all skin types, without causing irritation.

Retinoids are mainly used as care products in the evening beauty routine. In addition, their use in combination with some other ingredients (for example, with benzene peroxide) should be avoided. People with eczema and/or rosacea should avoid using retinol.

Due to the fact that retinol is one of the most well-known ingredients in the field of care, experts suggest that you prefer its use (if you have oily or acne-prone skin, which can tolerate it). Retinol has been highly studied by the scientific community, while bakuchiol is a newer discovery.

It is important to note that if you have sensitive skin or are pregnant, bakuchiol is a safer and more effective alternative to retinol. In addition, it is a perfect choice for those who suffer from rosacea, dermatitis or eczema and cannot use retinol.

Find at Vita4you.gr a great variety in products for face skin care.