The AgeWell Trifecta

What Is Bakuchiol?

Is Bakuchiol an Alternative to Retinol?

If you’re looking for a skincare ingredient to target visible signs of ageing, you may be wondering if you should choose bakuchiol or retinol.

Over the past several decades, certain skincare ingredients have become “gold standards” for particular skin concerns due to extensive research and almost-unanimous recommendations from dermatologists. Among those on this list are vitamin C, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and retinol.

A perennial skin-expert favorite, retinol is found in eye creams, serums and moisturisers and formulated to improve visible signs of ageing, but it can have the potential to cause irritation and can only be used in the evening as it can also cause sun-sensitivity.

As skincare science has advanced, we’ve seen plenty of new-and-improved options inspired by these tried-and-true ingredients, many of which have been the result of a seismic skincare shift towards plant-derived ingredients. Enter bakuchiol—the plant-based retinol alternative that is one of the most-buzzed about skincare ingredients at the moment.

What is bakuchiol?
Native to India and with a long history of Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal uses, bakuchiol is an extract derived from the Psoralea corylifolia plant, which is also known as babchi. For centuries, babchi seeds have been used as a skin preparation in the form of an oil or paste. Even more, Bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds of the Babchi plant which has roots in Ayurveda whose ancient texts refer to it as rasayana, or an herb that helps you look younger

Today, skincare with bakuchiol features this extract from the babchi plant, often in conjunction with other potent ingredients and formulation technologies that enhance bakuchiol benefits. The result: Improvement in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone.

What does bakuchiol do?
Bakuchiol has been the subject of much research since it appeared on the modern skincare scene, and its main targets are visible signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone. This vegan ingredient has been demonstrated to provide improvement in the appearance of visible signs of ageing through several modes of action.

Is bakuchiol an alternative to retinol?
In a word, yes, bakuchiol is an effective retinol alternative—and a vegan one at that. But if you’re still not sure whether you should choose bakuchiol or retinol, there are a few significant points to consider. First, bakuchiol delivers the same benefits as dermatologist-revered retinol to reduce the look of visible signs of ageing. Second, bakuchiol delivers retinol-like results with less irritation, so it is better tolerated by all skin types, including those with sensitive skin⁸.

How to use bakuchiol
Using bakuchiol is as simple as choosing skincare products that contain this vegan retinol alternative. Our AgeWell collection is a comprehensive skincare regimen powered by an ingredient trifecta of Bakuchiol sustainably-sourced from its native India, Stabilised Vitamin C to support collagen through moisturisation and Sustainable Plant Stem Cell Extract that conditions the skin to boost the appearance of skin radiance, elasticity, firmness and texture.

AgeWell Silky Cleanser with Vegan Surfactants
This luxurious cream-to-foam cleanser contains Provitamin B5 that helps the formula attract moisture on your skin, and vegan surfactants that gently whisk away makeup and everyday impurities. Use it morning and night for skin that feels incredibly soft, smooth and supple.

AgeWell Refreshing Toning Mist with Vitamin B3
Mist this alcohol-free goodness onto skin after cleansing to prepare for the next step or spritz throughout the day as a refresher. Formulated with Vitamin B3 (a.k.a. Niacinamide), this facial mist helps enhance the appearance of skin brightness and tone.

AgeWell Collagen Nurturing Serum with 2% Bakuchiol Indulge your skin in this super concentrated formula that boasts 2% Bakuchiol, which helps reduce the look of facial wrinkles, along with Stabilised Vitamin C to help boost and maintain collagen by supporting moisture.

AgeWell Enriching Eye Cream with Caffeine + Bakuchiol
This luxurious, ophthalmologist-tested eye cream helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles thanks to a special combination of Caffeine, Bakuchiol and Stabilised Vitamin C.

AgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 15
This special moisturiser formula performs double duty by also providing broad spectrum SPF protection against UVA/UVB rays as Hyaluronic Acid delivers hydration to the skin.

AgeWell Moisture Restoring Cream with 0.5% Bakuchiol
A must for all skin types, this moisturiser contains Bakuchiol, along with a botanical complex of Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, and Squalane, which helps replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

AgeWell Intense Repairing Night Cream with 2% Bakuchiol
Formulated with 2% Bakuchiol to help reduce the look of facial wrinkles and Beech Tree Bud Extract to smooth the look of skin texture with hydration, you’ll always wake up with soft, supple skin.

AgeWell Firming Neck Cream with 0.5% Bakuchiol
This specialised neck cream formula with Bakuchiol, Peptides and Sustainable Edelweiss Flower Stem Cell Extract helps improve the appearance of skin tone and firmness for a smoother, more defined-looking décolleté.

AgeWell

Ingredients

Our innovative skincare collection is formulated with three key ingredients that work together to deliver stunning results on skin.