Sunday 14/December/2025 – 10:45 PM
With increasing interest With skin care And to maintain its freshness without resorting to surgery or injections, a new compound has emerged known as bakuchiol, which is sometimes described as a plant-based retinol, according to what was published in Marca.
A dermatologist explains the features of the new retinol and its effects on the skin
A dermatologist confirmed that bakuchiol is a phenolic compound extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea coryllifolia plant, known for its traditional uses in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It has been widely spread since 2018 after the publication of a clinical study in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Studies have shown that bakuchiol has effects similar to those of 0.5% retinol, with the advantage of better skin tolerance, as it does not cause the irritation common with other retinoid products.
It also increases the expression of collagen types I, III, and IV, although these results are still limited to experimental studies.
The doctor explained that bakuchiol is not structurally similar to retinol, but it activates biological signaling pathways similar to those activated by retinol, which gives it a similar effect in terms of improving skin elasticity and freshness.
Specialists pointed out that bakuchiol is highly soluble in fats, which may be difficult to incorporate into aqueous emulsions, so it is often used in nanoemulsions or with micelles to improve absorption. It is also optically stable and has good skin tolerance, which makes it a suitable choice for people with sensitive skin.
Despite bakuchiol’s promising properties, human clinical trials are limited to 12 weeks, compared to the longer study periods of traditional retinoids.
The doctor points out that the compound is not a real retinoid, but it stimulates similar biological responses with better tolerance and stability. However, there remains a need for more studies to confirm its effectiveness and safety in the long term.
