Bakuchiol has been publicized in recent years as "bio-retinol", leading people to believe that it and retinol are one and the same. In fact, it has almost nothing to do with retinol, but only has a similar mechanism of action.

Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Bakuchiol

#1 Anti-aging and wrinkle reducing

If we compare our skin to a mattress, then Type I and Type III are the cotton that fills the mattress, while Type IV is the skeleton that supports it.

Comparative experiments of researchers on Bakuchiol and Retinol found that Bakuchiol has a role in promoting the production of all three types of collagen, and the effect is even better than retinol.

In addition, Psoralen can also inhibit the expression of the metallo-matrix protease MMP, reducing the destruction of dermal collagen by MMP. It can actively promote the generation of collagen and prevent the destruction of collagen, both offensive and defensive.

Comparison of wrinkles with 12 weeks of Bakuchiol Skin Care Products

Comparison of Trends in Wrinkle Surface Area Reduction with Bakuchiol and Retinol Skin Care Products over 12 Weeks

This was a 12-week randomized, double-blind study in which 44 subjects were divided into two groups and applied either 0.5% Psoralen Cream or 0.5% Retinol Cream twice daily.

A facial photo and analysis system was used to obtain and analyze the skin condition of the subjects at 0 and 12 weeks.

By analyzing the high-resolution photographs and data from the facial wrinkle assay at 12 weeks, it was observed that both the [Bakuchiol] and [Retinol] groups showed a reduction in the surface area of the wrinkles by approximately 20%, with a 59% reduction in hyperpigmentation in the [Bakuchiol] group and a 44% reduction in the [Retinol] group. 0.5% of Bakuchiol can effectively improve wrinkles.

#2 Acne removal and pigment fading

Bakuchiol also improves acne-prone skin and hyperpigmentation. As a result of the study, 44 participants showed a significant improvement in hyperpigmentation in 59% of the volunteers by using a Bakuchiol skin care product for 12 weeks.

Effectiveness of Bakuchiol in improving hyperpigmentation

Effectiveness of Psoralen in Improving Acne

#3 Mildness of Bakuchiol on the skin

In terms of the above ingredient effects, Bakuchiol is indeed very similar to Retinol. The difference is that while Retinol upregulates the RARB and RARG receptor genes in tandem, causing a certain amount of skin irritation, Bakuchiol does not, which positively explains why Bakuchiol is gentler.

Skin performance of subjects using Bakuchiol

According to a new study from 2020, the results of a trial of around 60 volunteers with damaged barriers showed that Bakuchiol showed an increase in skin smoothness, radiance, and anti-aging metrics, and was wonderfully tolerated.

Comparison of the probability of itchiness, redness, and stinging of the skin within 12 weeks of the use of Bakuchiol and Retinol

Compared to Retinol, Bakuchiol is more gentle and non-irritating, and it also provides skincare benefits that Retinol does not, such as anti-inflammatory, inhibiting harmful bacteria, and improving the skin barrier. It is safe to use for sensitive skin, during pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Hongkangbio is the manufacturer of Bakuchiol in China, we can provide you the COA, and HPLC chromatogram of each batch of products. We accept sample orders for your evaluation.

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Bibliography:

[1]R. K. Chaudhuri, K. Bojanowski, Int. J. Cosmet. Sci., 2014, 36(3):221-30.

[2]Chaudhuri, R. K., & Bojanowski, K. (2014). Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 36(3), 221–230.

[3]S. Dhaliwal, I. Rybak et al., Br. J. Dermatol., 2019, 180(2):289-96.

[4]Goldberg, DJ,  Robinson, DM,  Granger, C.  Clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of a new 3‐in‐1 anti‐aging topical night serum‐in‐oil containing melatonin, bakuchiol, and ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate: 103 females treated from 28 to 84 days. J Cosmet Dermatol.  2019; 18: 806– 814.

[5]Greenzaid J, Friedman A, Sodha P. The Use of Bakuchiol in Dermatolo: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Jun 1;21(6):624-629. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6740. PMID: 35674758.

[6]Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, Notay M, Trivedi M, Burney W, Vaughn AR, Nguyen M, Reiter P, Bosanac S, Yan H, Foolad N, Sivamani RK. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol. 2019 Feb;180(2):289-296. doi: 10.1111/bjd.16918.