Retinol has been a major component of anti-aging skin care products for decades. But now, an exciting and even more effective ingredient is rising in popularity: bakuchiol. Bakuchiol works similarly to retinol, but it offers more skin benefits and fewer side effects. This superior skin care component comes from the seeds of the babchi plant. For hundreds of years, babchi plants have been used in Eastern regions for medicinal purposes. In contrast, retinol is created in a lab using vitamin A. Unlike its plant-based alternative, bakuchiol, it can have certain unpleasant side effects and other drawbacks. These are just a few of the many reasons to opt for bakuchiol products over retinol. Read on to find out how these ingredients compare — and what you should try next. 1. Bakuchiol Is Natural and Plant-Based Retinol is derived from vitamin A using specific chemicals in labs. In contrast, bakuchiol is found in nature; it comes from the seeds of an ancient medicinal plant. You probably value plant-based skin care over synthetic or animal-based ingredients. Plant-based ingredients tend to be gentler on your skin, are usually produced with ethics in mind, and are generally more environmentally friendly. At Whish Beauty, we use natural ingredients whenever possible to formulate the best down-to-earth skin care products. For those who value natural, plant-based skin care ingredients, bakuchiol would be the better choice. 2. Bakuchiol Is Gentler on Your Skin Retinol can be too harsh for people with sensitive skin or certain health conditions. Because bakuchiol is a much gentler alternative, it can help you avoid the harmful effects of harsh chemicals as you fight skin aging. When you use retinol products, you might suffer from the following skin problems: Redness Dryness Burning Peeling Itching Increased skin sensitivity Tightness Nobody wants to experience these effects from their anti-aging skin care products. You deserve high-quality, comfortable solutions — and we provide those at Whish Beauty. Although bakuchiol can be just as effective for anti-aging purposes, it is not as harsh as retinol. If you have sensitive skin or are still fairly young, you could benefit greatly from using bakuchiol over retinol. 3. Bakuchiol Provides the Same (and Better) Skin Benefits Bakuchiol is equally as effective at helping most people achieve the skin care goals that they pursue with retinol. Retinol and bakuchiol both reduce the impact of aging on your skin by increasing cell turnover. This means that dead skin cells shed faster and expose a new, fresh layer of healthy skin. Some people use retinol to fight bacterial acne. Bakuchiol has the same anti-inflammatory and anti-acne properties as retinol. It can unclog congested pores and reduce irritation in your skin to help prevent acne breakouts. Bakuchiol can also shrink your pores. Enlarged pores trap bacteria, dirt, and debris more easily. They also impact the appearance of your skin, especially after makeup application. Our Renewing Mud Mask with Bakuchiol harnesses the pore-shrinking properties of bakuchiol. Look forward to smoother, more even skin with this renewing mask — a great choice for anyone who wants to clarify, exfoliate, and smooth their complexion. You can keep up the same anti-aging skin care routine using bakuchiol, retinol’s gentler and just-as-effective alternative! 4. You Can Use Bakuchiol Around the Clock Retinol is generally used at night to prevent sun exposure. When retinol is exposed to sunlight, it can break down on a chemical level and cause increased sensitivity. This chemical instability also makes it less effective at fighting skin aging and acne. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is photostable, which means that sun exposure does not cancel out its beneficial properties. You can apply bakuchiol in the morning or at night — and many skin care experts recommend doing both. Applying bakuchiol twice a day is linked to improved skin outcomes in some clinical studies. Overall, there are not as many usage restrictions with bakuchiol. Your skin will benefit from bakuchiol’s properties at any time of the day. You can use our Moisture Replenishing Day Cream with Bakuchiol in the morning and apply our Recovering Night Cream with Bakuchiol before you go to bed. This combination will help keep your skin fresh, renewed, and youthful-looking over time! 5. Bakuchiol Stimulates Collagen Production Collagen is an important skin fiber responsible for keeping your complexion tight and firm. Many products and treatments that promise more youthful skin work by boosting the production of collagen. Over the years, your skin loses collagen because its production slows down naturally. Bakuchiol seems to stimulate collagen production again, no matter what age you are. Scientists believe that bakuchiol acts on receptors in your skin that trigger collagen production. If you want to reap the anti-aging benefits of your skin care routine, using bakuchiol is the way to go. 6. Bakuchiol Has Soothing Properties While retinol can be very irritating to your skin, bakuchiol is not. We know that Eastern populations used the babchi plant medicinally for centuries, and it worked well because of bakuchiol’s anti-inflammatory properties. The babchi plant was used for hundreds of years to soothe cuts, rashes, and other uncomfortable skin problems. If you struggle with skin sensitivity, redness, and irritation, bakuchiol may help soothe your complexion. Our Restoring Facial Oil with Bakuchiol is designed to soothe irritated skin and restore moisture to your complexion. This oil contains plenty of antioxidants, which fight free radical damage throughout your body. You can replenish and heal your skin while benefiting from the anti-aging properties of bakuchiol. These benefits make it a much better alternative to retinol, which is harsh on many people’s skin. 7. Bakuchiol Can Diminish Wrinkles and Fine Lines Many people praise retinol for its anti-aging effects on the skin. However, bakuchiol can accomplish the same anti-aging goals, including wrinkle reduction. By increasing cell turnover and skin rejuvenation, bakuchiol has a similar effect on wrinkles as retinol. The soothing effects of bakuchiol could also help your skin retain moisture, which is important for preventing wrinkles and fine lines. Since bakuchiol boosts collagen production, your skin will be less prone to wrinkles. Collagen keeps your skin elastic, which prevents wrinkles and other wear and tear on your complexion. Wrinkles and dark circles are key signs of aging skin. Our Repairing Eye Cream with Bakuchiol reduces bags and wrinkles around your eyes to give you a more youthful appearance. If you have any fine lines in this area, this cream could smooth them and help repair damaged skin. 8. Bakuchiol Fights Sun Damage and Age Spots When it comes to anti-aging, sun protection is at the top of the list of priorities. Due to its stability in sunlight, bakuchiol is a wonderful ingredient for fighting against sun damage. Some studies have shown that bakuchiol could decrease your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. When the sun damages your skin, you can end up with brown spots, often referred to as age spots. With bakuchiol, you can avoid and possibly fade age spots without damaging or irritating your skin. Our Super Cream with Bakuchiol is a fantastic choice for those who want to strengthen their skin against the sun when they wake up. This cream can be used on your entire body, extending its amazing benefits past your face. Use our Super Cream with Bakuchiol to fight fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage as you live life to the fullest! 9. Bakuchiol Brightens Your Skin Tone Your skin can become dull if you have lots of dead and damaged skin cells hanging on. Bakuchiol could brighten your skin tone and bring a radiant glow back to your complexion. Our A+B+C Magic Serum is a skin-brightening powerhouse. Formulated with antioxidants, bakuchiol, and vitamin C, this serum clears away dead skin cells and boosts your skin tone to give you visible radiance. The antioxidants in this serum fight age-related skin damage, while the bakuchiol and vitamin C brighten, exfoliate, and refresh your complexion. What more could you ask for out of a skin serum? Make the Swap to Bakuchiol with Whish Beauty Products Bakuchiol is the new retinol. As it grows in popularity, more skin care enthusiasts are making the switch. It’s time to choose plant-based, gentle, toxin-free skin care! At Whish Beauty, our products are always: Cruelty-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free DEA- and TEA-free Petrochemical-free You can count on us to deliver the gentlest, most beneficial skin care ingredients in every bottle. Are you looking for an added boost? Add our Founder’s Vault Bakuchiol Boosting Drops to your routine. These drops can be used on your face, body, or even in your bath! Or mix this moisturizing formula with other skin care products for a rejuvenated glow after every use. Get started on your anti-aging, brightening, and rejuvenating journey with our bakuchiol skin care products today!