Bakuchiol is a natural, plant-based retinol alternative that has been touted to be safe for use while breastfeeding. Unlike retinol, which cannot be used during pregnancy.
Now, there are no clinical studies that show for absolute certain that bakuchiol is safe for breastfeeding mothers, but it has been used for thousands of years.
Having some kind of product that sloughs off dead skin/increases cell turnover does wonders for pregnancy acne and pregnancy mask (a.k.a. melasma).
Skincare Benefits of Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol has many properties that are very beneficial to the skin. Including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that battle free radicals also to help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
While not a moisturizer on its own, Bakuchiol has also been shown to keep skin hydrated and healthy when paired with a good moisturizer. It can also be used to treat acne, as it has been found to have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.
Retinol can also be harsh on the skin, whereas bakuchiol is gentle and does not usually cause irritation, redness, or photosensitivity.
Studies have found it to be just as effective as retinol in terms of exfolitaing as well as reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. So, it’s a great natural retinol alternative for breastfeeding mothers who want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
How to Use Bakuchiol
To benefit from Bakuchiol, apply a small amount onto clean skin after cleansing. If you have any other breastfeeding-safe serums that you’re using, just use the lightest first and so on.
Massage the Bakuchiol into your skin for 1-3 minutes until it is fully absorbed. For best results, use twice daily – once in the morning and once at night – for maximum effect. You can use it twice daily because it doesn’t make your skin sensitive to UV.
How Long Does it Take to Work?
Noticeable improvements are often believed to take effect after using it daily for 6 to 8 weeks.
Recommended Serums
Here are some natural Bakuchiol serums we like:
Herbivore Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum
Sky Organics Bakuchiol Night Serum
Gaia Ageless Retinol Alternative
Handmade Heroes Bakuchiol Booster Oil
Acure Radically Rejuvenating Serum
Retinol is Not Safe to Use While Breastfeeding
Studies have shown that Vitamin A derivative, retinol, is NOT safe to use while breastfeeding. It’s a manmade type of vitamin A – and you know what that can mean.
Although it’s hard to tell how much, retinol is absorbed through the skin and can be passed onto the baby in breast milk.
Not only that but prescription-strength oral Vitamin A, often called Accutane (isotretinoin), has been shown to cause birth defects. Fetal retinoid syndrome causes intellectual and physical birth defects (congenital malformations) as a result of taking prescription retinoids during pregnancy.
Bakuchiol vs Retinol
TLDR: While they’re not the same, bakuchiol has been shown to be just as effective as retinol as an anti-aging product.
The science surrounding bakuchiol is fascinating. There have been a fair few clinical studies examining how bakuchiol functions similarly to retinol.
Iin one study, after just 12 weeks of treatment, participants experienced a significant reduction in pigmentation, photodamage, lines and wrinkles, elasticity, and overall firmness.
Another study revealed that gene expression can be regulated in a similar way to retinol by Bakuchiol, making it a powerful anti-aging alternative to retinol.
Bakuchiol is gentle and non-irritating which makes it ideal for sensitive skin types. Some of its magical plant-based properties:
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Moisturizing
- Antibacterial
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-Aging
Overall, if you’re looking for a natural, plant-based retinol alternative, that is safer to use while breastfeeding, bakuchiol could be a truly excellent choice!
Bakuchiol Serum
You can totally just use bakuchiol straight up, but if you’re looking for a serum, know that many can have other ingredients that can be harmful while breastfeeding. A couple of the big ones to watch out for are nicotinamide and hyaluronic acid. Some serums even have retinol mixed in.
So, you can use just bakuchiol, which will give you the most potent effect of the plant-based ingredient. Or, if you want to do all of your anti-aging at the same time, just make sure to do some research on available serums. And, as always, consult your doctor before using any new product on your skin while breastfeeding or pregnant.
A Natural Retinol Alternative?
Is bakuchiol safe to us while breastfeeding? Bakuchiol is an excellent all-around product for keeping your skin looking youthful, radiant, and evenly toned. Its age-defying properties are especially helpful in reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Bakuchiol is a great retinol alternative for breastfeeding mothers who want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while caring for their skin. Bakuchiol is gentle, non-irritating, and just as effective as retinol in terms of reducing wrinkles and fine lines. If you are breastfeeding and looking for an effective retinol alternative, Bakuchiol could be an excellent choice!
Read More: Is bakuchiol safe to use while breastfeeding?Bakuchiol in Ayurvedic Medicine
Psoralea corylifolia, more commonly known as babchi, is an ancient herb with a long-standing reputation for curing various skin diseases. Bakuchiol is an organic compound found in various parts of the plant. It is extracted in the seeds, where it is most concentrated.
The Ayurvedic system believes that bakuchiol has calming and rejuvenating effects that also help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
The compound has also been studied for chemoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. These benfits have made it popular for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
History of the Babchi Plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In China, babchi seeds have been widely used in traditional medicine, because of their wide variety of health benefits.
Babchi has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years and is referred to as Pu Ku Chih or Bu Ku Zhi. In TCM, it is used in TCM to treat skin diseases, inflammation, kidney failure and urinary tract infections.
It is believed that the compound works by stimulating liver Qi which helps balance the body’s energy flow.
The active ingredients in babchi seed include some pretty damn powerful antioxidants. These help the skin in a myriad of ways, without irritating it.
Babchi Plant Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledoneae
Order: Rosales
Family: Leguminosae
Subfamily: Papilionaceae
Genus: Psoralea
Species: corylifolia Linn.
Other Names for the Psoralea Corylifolia Plant
Bavachi, Babachi, Babchi, Bavanchiyan, Karkokil, Karkokilari, Kaurkoalari, Bhavaj, Bakuci, Bemchi, Hakuch, Latakasturi, Kakuch, Barachi, Bakuchi, Bawachi, Bobawachi, Bavacha, Babichi, Bawchi, Babachi, Bavachya.
Bavachi, Bavanchi, Waghchi, Vabkuchi, Ba bakhi, Babchi, Aindavi, Avalguja, Bakuchi, Chanderlekha, Chanderprabha.
Kushthahantri, Sitavari, Somaraji, Vejani, Vakuchi, Sugandha kantak, Krishnaphala, Chandraraji, Asitatvacha, Kalameshi, Somavalli, Bakuci, Sasankarekha.
Ravoli, Babechi, Babchi seeds, Bodi- ata, Psoralea seeds, Malay tea, Scurf-pea, Fountain bush, West Indian Satinwood, Bavanchalu.
Bavanchi-vittulu, Bogi-vittulu, Karu-bogi, Kala-ginja, Karpokarishi, Karpuva-arishi, Karpuvanshi, Kaarboka-arisi, Karpogalarisi, Somaraji, Bavanchigida, Karbekhiga, Bawchan.
Buckidana, Loelab el abid, Mahalep.
Chinese herbalist names: Ku Tzu, Pu Ku Chih, Bu Ku Zhi, Cot Chu
Need more info on what ingredients are safe while preganant or breastfeeding? We found this handy list of herbs, teas, and essential oils. These are ones to avoid while pregnant or breastfeeding, from the Baby Centre.
