The {All-Natural} Wrinkle Reducer You Might Have Missed
While you’ve probably heard about retinol and its science-backed benefits in slowing down the skin’s ageing process, sadly not all of us can use it, including me. For many women the vitamin A derivative has some pretty strong side effects including peeling, redness, dryness and tightness, as well as making skin more sensitive long-term.
So when I first heard about the botanical extract bakuchiol (pronounced buh-koo-chee-all) and how it shared similar, clinically-proven results to that of retinol, without the potential side effects, I did a little happy dance.
The oil is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Indian babchi plant and has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine due to its soothing and healing properties. Just like retinol, it works to stimulate the production of plumping collagen, tightening and brightening the skin while minimising the look of fine lines and wrinkles sans the irritation and increased photosensitivity. It was instant love! Here are a few of my best buys.
1. Andalou Age Defying Rejuvenating Eye Balm | Fragrance-free so it doesn’t irritate or induce a migraine. As well as bakuchiol, it contains antioxidant-rich fruit extracts and feels instantly soothing, hydrating and lifting. Dot around the eye on the bone and under your brow, too. $39.95 andalou.com.au
2. Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum | This is a next-level clean-beauty superstar, thanks to bakuchiol combined with dark spot brightening, skin-strengthening niacinamide (vitamin B3) and collagen-boosting, moisturising squalane, $110 sephora.com.au
3. Swisse Bio-Retinol Renewing Night Cream | It was the deeply comforting, thick-whipped texture of this cream that first won me over. Then came the impressive softening and smoothing results via key hydrating ingredients of shea butter and squalane combined with bakuchiol, $24.99 swisse.com.au
4. Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides Serum | Used morning and night, this powerhouse serum visibly brightens up the skin, so make sure you’re protecting with SPF50+ every day, in all weather. It’s infused with the botanical herb cica, which is known to calm redness, $87 adorebeauty.com.au
5. Sukin Naturals Purely Ageless Pro Intensive Revitalising Overnight Mask | As well as bakuchiol, this contains moisture-magnet hyaluronic acid and kangaroo paw extract – long used in Indigenous communities – to leave skin feeling softer and looking more glowy by the morning. I have really dry skin so I layer it on after applying a serum a few times a week, $17.45 chemistwarehouse.com.au