Bakuchiol — a love letter

Bakuchiol is one of our favourite ingredients — +one of the main ingredients in our Vegan Society-accredited waterless Restoring Face Oil, as well as Cassiopeia's Serum Concentrate.

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a vegan skincare ingredient found in the leaves + seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. While it has its roots in ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines, there is lots of good contemporary research shows topical application has significant benefits for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

How does it work, exactly?

Considered a natural alternative to retinol, bakuchiol has repeatedly been shown in studies to activate chemical pathways in skin cells that ultimately creates several types of collagen in the skin, as well as decreasing the rate of collagen breakdown + a reduction in melanin synthesis. 

The overall effect is a reduction in fine lines + hyperpigmentation.

In a 2019 study published in British Journal of Dermatology, no difference was found between retinol and bakuchiol in treating lines + hyperpigmentation, however users found the bakuchiol less irritating.

It is also a potent antioxidant, which means it stops skin cells degrading by targeting free radicals, preventing fine lines and loss of firmness. Free radicals also protect the skin from pollution and environmental stressors which can cause damage.

Other studies have also reported improvement in lines, pigmentation, elasticity, + firmness with bakuchiol.