You are likely familiar with retinol, a derivate of vitamin A which helps to soften appearance of pores, reduce the appearance of lines of wrinkles, smooth texture. Dermatologists refer to it as Gold Standart of anti-aging ingredients, but for some people with sensitive skin, retinol can be too aggressive.
Since retinol is a synthetic ingredient; for people with sensitive skin and/or organic and plant based lovers like myself, retinol alternatives Bakuchiol and Bidens Pilosa are offering similar results without the irritation.
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BAKUCHIOL
Bakuchiol is derived from the seeds and leaves of 'babchi' plant (the psoralea corylifolia) that grows in India and Himalayan regions of Pakistan and China. It has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.
In a randomized, double-blind, 12-week study in which 44 patients were asked to apply either bakuchiol 0·5% cream twice daily or retinol 0·5% cream daily. A facial photograph and analytical system was used to obtain and analyse high-resolution photographs of patients at 0, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Patients also completed tolerability assessment questions to review side-effects. During study visits, a board-certified dermatologist, blinded to study group assignments, graded pigmentation and redness.
Result: Bakuchiol and retinol both significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistical difference between the compounds. The retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
Bakuchiol can be used for all skin types. According to beauty experts, beyond anti-aging, bakuchiol is great for those with acne, eczema and rosacea.
This is the serum I chose to try for Bakuchiol :
Evolve Organic Beauty - Natural Bio-Retinol + C Skin Booster
It smells gorgeous and made my skin feel so soft. It also has natural vitamin C. I would definitely buy and use it again.
BIDEN PILOSA
Biden Pilosa also known as Spanish needle, Farmer's friend, Black Jack and Hairy Beggarsticks (I know! lol) is another great plant-derived retinol alternative from a daisy looking plant grown in South America.
In some parts of the world Biden Pilosa is used for food and medicinal purposes. This data suggests that it may have antimicrobial, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects.
As with retinol Biden Pilosa activates the skin cells to produce collagen and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Unlike retinol, Biden Pilosa does not cause dryness or irritation, instead Biden Pilosa increases elastin and sirtuin-6 gene expression (which is linked to longevity).
You can read more on anti-aging mechanism of Biden Pilosa in this PubMed article here.
It is suitable for all skin types. Beside helping sooth and heal skin, Biden Pilosa evens skin tone by penetrating the skin deeply and reducing the dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Now, this was what I was looking for in a serum.
It is also said that Biden Pilosa is a great choice to treat acne. Just like bakuchiol, biden pilosa is also great alternative to retinol for eczema and rosacea sufferers. (It is always wiser to do skin patch test first though.)
This is the product I chose to try Biden Pilosa:
REN Skincare Bio Retinoid Youth Concentrate Oil
I am absolutely in love with this one. You immediately start feeling the healing effect on your skin, especially if you have a dry skin like mine.
OK, WHICH ONE IS BETTER?
I have researched up and down, left and right, but could not find an answer for it. Saying that, you should give them both a chance like I did, and then decide which works best for you.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER NATURAL ALTERNATIVES?
This night cream was also in my radar because of its clean ingredient list. Upcircle Night Cream upcycles blueberry seeds from the juicing industry because they are source of pro-retinol. It also has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and niacinamide to even skin tone.
I think this night cream will be in my favourite skincare list as I am on my second jar now.
TURKCE
RETINOL ALTERNATIFLERI
Bitki bazlı alt-retinoller olarak da bilinen 'doğal retinol'den ve bunların retinol kadar iyi olup olmadığından bahsedelim. Bu konuyu araştırdım, bazı ürünleri denedim ve sizler için güzel bir yazı hazırladım.
Gözeneklerin görünümünü yumuşatmaya, kırışıklık çizgilerinin görünümünü azaltmaya ve pürüzsüz bir gorunume yardımcı olan A vitamini türevi olan retinole muhtemelen aşinasınızdır. Dermatologlar buna yaşlanmayı geciktirici bileşenlerin Altın Standardı olarak atıfta bulunur, ancak hassas cilde sahip bazı kişiler için retinol çok agresif olabilir.
Retinol sentetik bir madde olduğundan; hassas ciltli ve/veya benim gibi organik ve bitki bazlı icerik sevenler için retinol alternatifleri Bakuchiol ve Bidens Pilosa benzer sonuçları tahriş etmeden elde etmenizi saglayabilir.
BAKÜÇİOL
Bakuchiol, Hindistan ve Pakistan ile Çin'in Himalaya bölgelerinde yetişen 'babchi' bitkisinin (psoralea corylifolia) tohum ve yapraklarından elde edilir. Geleneksel Ayurveda ve Çin tıbbında yüzyıllardır kullanılmaktadır.
Bakuchiol ve Retinol ile ilgili şöyle bir calışma yapilmis:
44 hastadan günde iki kez bakuchiol %0.5 krem veya günde %0.5 retinol krem kullanmasının istendiği randomize, 12 haftalık bir çalışmada hastaların 0, 4, 8 ve 12. haftalarda yüksek çözünürlüklü fotoğraflarını elde etmek ve bunları analiz etmek için bir yüz fotoğrafı ve analitik sistem kullanılmış. Hastalar ayrıca yan etkilerin gözlemlenebilmesi için tolere edilebilirlik değerlendirme sorularını doldurmuş.