As you know, one of Korean Vegan Beauty's HERO ingredients is bakuchiol. And I'll be 100% honest:
I'd never even heard of this ingredient before developing the formula for our products.
I'm guessing here, but...maybe you'd never heard of it before KVBeauty?
If so, here are a few fun facts about bakuchiol and why it DESERVES to be KVBeauty's hero ingredient.
How do you pronounce it?
Bah-KOO-chee-ohl
Isn't this just a trendy new ingredient that'll fizzle out in due course?
Actually, bakuchiol has been around for a VERY LONG TIME! It comes from the babchii plant and has been used for centuries in Ayervedic and traditional Chinese medicine. So, it isn't just the "trendy new" viral ingredient in skincare. Yes, it's true that it's viral on TikTok, but that's only because TikTok is now hip to all its beautifying properties. The truth is, bakuchiol is NOT a new invention at all!
So, is it true that bakuchiol acts like retinol WITHOUT the irritation?
Ok, so this was the claim that made me a little skeptical. But the studies bear it out:
Yes, bakuchiol triggers similar gene expression pathways in the skin as retinol, helping with:
- fine lines
- uneven tone
- texture
- collagen support
But the thing is--it isn't a vitamin A derivative. So you get less irritation than you do with retinol.
So, does that mean I can use it in the morning?
Yes! Unlike retinol, bakuchiol is NOT photosensitizing and IS stable during daylight. So you can use it as part of your morning skincare routine and at night.
I have sensitive skin. Is bakuchiol ok for me?
Clinical, real-world studies demonstrate that bakuchiol tends to cause:
less redness
less peeling
less stinging
than retinol, while still improving signs of again and overall skin health. That's why bakuchiol is often referred to as the "gentle retinol"--not because it doesn't work, but because it's nicer. :)
But don't be misled--it isn't just retinol's nice kid sister. It is its own, very powerful ingredient.
Bakuchiol isn't simply "plant retinol." It is chemically different from retinol and works differently. It also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that retinol doesn't have in the same way.
So, this is why I am so proud that Korean Vegan Beauty's Skin Cream and Shampoo both contain bakuchiol. It is the unsung hero, rooted in centuries of beauty ritual.
