Is retinol a good choice for your skin? And why opt for bakuchiol?

Retinol is a praised effective anti-aging skincare ingredient. The caution comes during the summer months when retinol is not recommended for daytime use as it increases skin sensitivity to the sun. However, it’s essential to know that retinol may not necessarily be a good choice for all skin types, especially if you suffer from conditions like rosacea, acne, eczema, or have sensitive skin, which could react immediately. That’s why people are turning to bakuchiol – a natural and much gentler alternative to retinol that doesn’t irritate while being equally effective.

When to avoid retinol:

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, promotes cell growth and enhances collagen production, improving skin texture and reducing wrinkles and fine lines. It’s an excellent choice for reducing early signs of aging (it can be used even before turning thirty), making retinol serums highly sought after.

However, it may not suit all skin types, and when used incorrectly, it can do more harm than good. People with sensitive skin or issues like rosacea or eczema should be cautious when using retinol and might consider avoiding it altogether.

Retinol can cause side effects such as irritation, dryness, and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, it’s essential to use retinol only at night (in your nighttime skincare routine) and not skimp on sunscreen during the day (at least SPF 30 is recommended).

If you insist on using retinol, remember that it should be gradually incorporated into your skincare regimen, finding the right balance and starting with a lower concentration. It’s advisable to use retinol twice a week and gradually increase the frequency of use. When exfoliating your skin, skip retinol the previous day to prevent increased skin sensitivity.

Why? Because retinol itself has strong exfoliating effects on our skin, so it’s no longer recommended to combine it with other exfoliating products, including AHA and BHA acids. It’s like using a physical exfoliator, great for brightening the skin, but with too frequent use, it weakens the dermis, causing dryness and flakiness and making it much more permeable than desired. We should also be cautious about combining retinol and vitamin C – using these two substances together isn’t beneficial for the skin.

Everything in moderation…

Using retinol requires finding a balance. Too frequent use or higher concentrations can irritate the skin. It is recommended to start with a small amount of lower concentration retinol (0.01% to 0.03%) and gradually increase the frequency of use so that the skin can adapt.

While mild irritation, dryness, and increased sensitivity to sunlight are normal side effects of retinol, significant peeling, redness, and burning are not normal and may indicate excessive skin irritation. At that point, stop using retinol and apply a Hemp Recovery Salve to soothe and nourish the irritated skin.

Retinol vs. Bakuchiol:

Bakuchiol is considered a natural alternative to retinol. Retinol is a vitamin A derivative, while bakuchiol is a natural plant compound extracted from the Psoralea corylifolia plant. Bakuchiol is generally seen as a safer alternative because it doesn’t cause similar side effects.

5 reasons why bakuchiol is a gentler alternative you don’t need to fear:

Bakuchiol helps combat the signs of skin aging, but it does so more gently and without some of the side effects associated with retinol, such as skin irritation and sensitivity.

1) Natural alternative to retinol: Bakuchiol is a natural compound extracted from the Psoralea corylifolia plant, which has similar effects to retinol but without undesirable side effects.

2) Support for cell renewal: Like retinol, bakuchiol also supports the process of cell renewal. It helps remove old, dead cells and stimulates the formation of new cells, improving skin texture and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

3) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: Bakuchiol has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help protect the skin from damage by free radicals and reduce inflammation. This contributes to a youthful skin appearance and improves overall skin tone and evenness.

4) Safety and reduced risk of irritation: Bakuchiol is suitable for sensitive skin and those who do not tolerate retinol or are sensitive to retinoids. It is less likely to cause irritation, dryness, or sensitivity, which are often associated with retinol.

5) Compatibility with other ingredients: Bakuchiol is generally compatible with other ingredients in skincare products, which means it can be easily incorporated into your regular skincare routine and combined with other active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or vitamin C.

If you’re unsure if retinol is right for you and are afraid your skin might react to it, try the power of bakuchiol in Cannor’s Vitamin Elixir. Together with 10 rare plant oils and Laminaria ochroleuca seaweed, it protects skin cells from environmental aging (primarily caused by UV radiation), soothes, and rejuvenates the skin: it smoothes out lines, wrinkles, and positively affects skin elasticity.

You can use it in the morning and evening, in winter and summer, on damp skin (after hydrating with a facial mist), or add a few drops to your favorite serum. We recommend the Rejuvenating facial Serum. Bakuchiol goes exceptionally well with it!