In the quest for ageless beauty, mature women are often provided with a myriad of skincare products promising miraculous results. While many turn to retinol, a potent anti-aging ingredient, its harsh nature can leave sensitive skin feeling irritated. However, there is bakuchiol – a natural, plant-based alternative that has been gaining popularity for its remarkable anti-aging properties.
What is Bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a chemical compound classified as a meroterpene in the terpenophenol category. Its history dates back to 1966, when it was isolated from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. The name "Bakuchiol" derives from Bakuchi, which is the Sanskrit name for this particular plant. The Psoralea corylifolia plant has been an essential part of Indian and Traditional Chinese medicine for years.
What Does Bakuchiol Do?
This compound is renowned for its range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Its multi-faceted actions make it an ingredient of choice for diverse applications, particularly in skincare products designed to address issues ranging from aging to inflammation and bacterial infection.
What is Bakuchiol Oil?
Bakuchiol oil is the concentrated extract obtained primarily from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea corylifolia plant. In addition to its antioxidant properties, this oil has shown effectiveness against an array of oral pathogens, both of the Gram-positive and Gram-negative types.
How to Pronounce Bakuchiol?
Getting the pronunciation correct is helpful, especially if you're looking to explore this ingredient further. Bakuchiol is pronounced as buh-KOO-chee-all. Knowing the correct pronunciation can make your research and discussions about this compound much easier.
What Percentage of Bakuchiol is Effective?
When it comes to skincare formulations featuring bakuchiol, the concentration is an important factor for efficacy. For noticeable effects on the skin, products should contain a minimum of 0.5% bakuchiol. However, concentrations above 1% are generally not recommended by experts, as it could lead to unnecessary risks.
How to Use Bakuchiol?
Application guidelines suggest that bakuchiol can be used over the entire face, with a focus on areas prone to aging signs, like around the eyes. It can also serve as a targeted treatment for areas affected by imperfections. An added advantage is that bakuchiol does not increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun's UV rays, making it safe for both morning and evening application. Nevertheless, it is advisable to protect your skin with broad-spectrum sun protection during daytime hours. Below are some general guidelines to ensure optimal benefits:
Cleanse Your Skin
Begin your skincare routine by cleansing your face with a cleanser that suits your skin type. A clean canvas is essential for any active ingredient to work effectively. Thorough cleansing removes debris, excess oils, and makeup that might otherwise interfere with the absorption of bakuchiol.
Apply the Bakuchiol Product
Once your skin is clean, it's time to apply your bakuchiol product. For serums, you typically need between 3 to 7 drops. Pour these into the palm of your hand and, using your fingertips, distribute the serum evenly over your face and neck. Gently massage the product into your skin for better absorption.
If it's a bakuchiol cream you've chosen, scoop out a small dollop and apply it to your face, again spreading it out evenly. Creams usually require a massaging motion to help with absorption.
When using bakuchiol oil, follow a similar procedure. Dispense a few drops into your palms and then massage it onto your face and neck using gentle, circular motions. Oils tend to be more concentrated, so a little goes a long way.
Focus on Key Areas
While bakuchiol is safe for application over your entire face, certain areas may benefit more from targeted treatment. The skin around the eyes is particularly delicate and prone to signs of aging. Likewise, if you have specific areas of concern like blemishes or hyperpigmentation, bakuchiol can be applied locally for more focused treatment.
Follow with Moisturizer
After you have applied bakuchiol, allow it a few minutes to sink into your skin. This ensures that you reap all the benefits of the active ingredient. Follow up with your regular moisturizer to lock in hydration. A well-moisturized face can enhance the benefits of bakuchiol by maintaining the skin barrier.
Apply Sunscreen
It's noteworthy that bakuchiol doesn't make your skin more sensitive to UV rays, which sets it apart from some other potent skincare ingredients. Nevertheless, sun protection remains vital. Before stepping out in the morning, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
Additional Considerations
While bakuchiol can be used both in the morning and evening, some users prefer using it at night, particularly if they're using a bakuchiol product that has an oily consistency. The skin's natural repair processes are most active at night, making it an ideal time to use products aimed at improving skin health.
What Does Bakuchiol Do for Skin?
In skincare, bakuchiol has proven to be a beneficial ingredient for retinol-like regulation of gene expression. Clinical studies have established its efficacy in reducing signs of photoaging, such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, while also exhibiting better skin tolerance compared to retinol.
What is Bakuchiol Good For?
The compound is specifically beneficial for reducing inflammation, boosting elasticity and firmness, improving fine lines and wrinkles, and brightening the skin. Its broad range of applications makes it a well-rounded ingredient in skincare, especially for products aimed at mature skin.
What is Bakuchiol Serum?
Bakuchiol serum is essentially a skincare product where bakuchiol acts as the principal active ingredient. These serums are often tailored for anti-aging effects and are capable of stimulating cell turnover, treating sun-damaged skin, evening out skin tone, and stimulating collagen production.
What Not to Mix with Bakuchiol?
While bakuchiol is considered generally safe for use with other skincare ingredients, it is wise to exercise caution. Before committing to daily use, it's advisable to perform a patch test on the inner wrist or jawline. Once the patch test confirms no adverse reaction, it's safe to integrate bakuchiol into your skincare routine.
Our Bakuchiol Products at Fièra Cosmetics
We at Fièra Cosmetics focus on creating bakuchiol products specifically for mature skin, predominantly aimed at women over 40. Our Bakuchiol offerings include the Bakuchiol Rejuvenating Facial Treatment and the Bakuchiol Firming Eye Cream. For those interested in a comprehensive approach, we also offer a Bakuchiol Set that comprises both these products.
Bakuchiol Rejuvenating Facial Treatment
Our Bakuchiol Rejuvenating Facial Treatment is designed to be a retinol alternative. It primarily targets lines and wrinkles and works to brighten the skin. With key ingredients like plant-derived bakuchiol, squalane, and licorice root, this facial treatment aims to visibly improve signs of aging on mature, textured skin. The potent antioxidants in the formula also help to maintain the skin's health.
Bakuchiol Firming Eye Cream
Our Bakuchiol Firming Eye Cream is tailored to rejuvenate the eye area by reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It works to boost cell turnover and minimize the appearance of dark spots, leaving you with a youthful look.
Bakuchiol Set
The Bakuchiol Set is a curated package that includes both the facial treatment and the eye cream. This set aims to provide the same benefits as retinol but without any of the common side effects like irritation, peeling, or sun sensitivity.
How We Recommend Applying Our Bakuchiol Products
Wash & Prep
It is recommended to start your skincare regimen with a clean slate. Use a gentle cleanser to wash your face and neck, preparing your skin for the bakuchiol product to absorb effectively.
Apply Bakuchiol Product
Next, gently massage one or two pumps of our bakuchiol product into your face and neck using upward motions. Keep massaging until the product is fully absorbed into your skin.
Final Steps: Eye Cream, Moisturizer, and SPF
After you've applied the bakuchiol product, proceed with your eye cream and moisturizer. We suggest using our Apple Stem Cell Cream alongside the Bakuchiol Treatment for added skin benefits. Lastly, make sure to apply SPF, which is always a vital part of any skincare routine.
Conclusion
By paying close attention to each of these aspects, one can make an informed decision about incorporating bakuchiol into a skincare regimen, fully exploiting its benefits without unnecessary risks.
Want to empower yourself with resources to look and feel better? Read more articles on our blog.