The Plant-Based Alternatives To Retinol

Miracle ingredients in skincare come and go but for those looking to achieve skin nirvana, Retinol hasn’t just stuck around, it’s the gold standard in anti-ageing skincare. It plumps, brightens and reduces wrinkles, thanks to its collagen-boosting properties. Suffer from hyperpigmentation? It’s also the holy grail to achieving skin perfection. 

Retinol is a chemical derivative of Vitamin A, and while many swear by its benefits, it can also be aggravating to skin, especially for those with sensitivities. Since making the switch to using only natural beauty and skincare products, it left us wondering if there was a natural alternative to Retinol that still delivered the same (or close to!) amazing results. Turns out there is, Bakuchiol. 

“Bakuchiol is proving to be almost as effective as synthetic forms of retinol in building cell walls and plumping the skin’s tone and texture, explains Nicole Manning from Sydney’s Onda beauty. “The science is still evolving around Bakuchiol, but it is impressing us to date at lower strengths than we would see in retinoids.”

Bakuchiol, What Is It? 

Although Bakuchiol stimulates collagen production in a similar way to retinol, it’s important to note that it’s not a retinoid. A derivative of the Bakuchi plant, it’s also a vegan alternative to its synthetic counterpart and another bonus is that it can be used day and night as its photostable and won’t cause sensitivities in sunlight.

“It has long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine but is only just gaining attention in the Western world for its anti-ageing properties,” says Danielle Glover, chemist and founder of SIMPLE as That skincare. 

How To Use It

Like retinol, natural alternatives are best introduced into your daily beauty routine gradually.

“This allows your skin time to adapt and adjust to the new ingredients and helps avoid unwanted reactions such as irritation, redness or flaky skin,” Danielle says. “Just because these retinol alternatives are natural, it doesn’t mean they can’t trigger their own share of skin irritations.”

Danielle adds that it’s best applied at night after cleansing, and for the uninitiated, start by using a small amount twice a week and gradually increase your use.