I always enjoy learning about different plants and their history. One such plant that is reemerging into sight from ancient times is Bakuchiol (ba-koo-heel) derived from the Babchi Plant. This plant has many medicinal qualities for digestion, heart disorders, and asthma however, what piqued my interest are the benefits to aging skin as it is also a natural alternative to retinol. It was predominately used in Indian Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines to help heal, calm, and soothe the skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. (qtd. Burcham, Brydie.com)
Retinol can be found in the many skin creams and serums and chemical peels. It is basically a type of retinoid that works by increasing collagen production as well as skin cell turnover. Retinol is a synthetic derivative of Vitamin A and is technically still a chemical. It can have adverse side effects to some skin types and a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology states it could “influence cancer-related biological pathways. However, results from observational studies of serum retinol and cancer risk have been mixed.” (p. 532)
Another study to compare the benefits of retinol and bakuchiol was performed in 2014 by the Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie. Bakuchiol was tested in a clinical case study with twice-a-day facial application for 12 weeks. The results showed “significant improvement in lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, elasticity, firmness and overall reduction in photo-damage… without usual retinol therapy-associated undesirable effects.” It further concluded that bakuchiol can function as an anti-ageing compound through retinol-like regulation of gene expression. (Chaudhuri and Bojanowski)
Over the counter retinol is perfectly safe however some prescribed retinols can be damaging if not used properly. Natural alternative is the name of the game here and what drove me, an “ageing” woman, to do research on ways to reduce appearance of wrinkles and rejuvenate my skin naturally without harsh chemicals. So, I set out ways to incorporate this plant into my daily facial regimen.
After months of different combinations, I am happy to promote a new Bentonite based, Babchi infused Restorative Cleansing Clay that I personally use every day. This age repairing cleansing clay has an extra boost of Babchi Seed powder to not only clean your skin but also promotes smooth collagen boosting benefits. Since my skin is prone to oiliness, I love using this daily as a cleanser in the morning and before bed but if you have dry or hyper-sensitive skin, it works great as a mask for deep detox a couple times a week. It feels rejuvenating and leaves the skin soft and brighter.
As an extra love, use this clay as the first part of a cleansing ritual and combine it with the newest Willow-Bark collection. After cleansing, try the Willow-Rose Tannic Toner to tone and pH balance your skin before applying the collagen hydration serum. The collagen boosting serum, “Willow-Bab”, has a white willow bark base and has an extra boost of Babchi seed powder for nourishment during the bedtime hours. I apply this to my face using upward strokes on the face and neck after cleansing and toning before bed to assist in the fight against wrinkles. Do not overlook the back of your neck to aide in neck elasticity.
Resources
Burcham, Chloe. "Bakuchiol: The New, Natural Alternative to Retinol." Brydie.com, Dotdash, 15 Jan. 2020, www.byrdie.com/what-is-bakuchiol.
Chaudhuri RK, Bojanowski K. Bakuchiol: a retinol-like functional compound revealed by gene expression profiling and clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014;36(3):221-230. doi:10.1111/ics.12117
Manila Hada, Alison M Mondul, Stephanie J Weinstein, Demetrius Albanes, Serum Retinol and Risk of Overall and Site-Specific Cancer in the ATBC Study, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 189, Issue 6, June 2020, Pages 532–542,