Bakuchiol

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is found naturally in the leaves and leaves of the babchi plant Psoralea corylifolia, which is used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine (R, R). Although it is structurally different from retinol, it functions like retinol, regulating many of the same genes (R). Unlike retinol however, it is rarely irritating and can be used by individuals with sensitive skin (R).

Is bakuchiol stable?

Bakuchiol remained stable when stored at temperatures between 4°C and 40°C, in light and in darkness. In an analysis of 8 bakuchiol-containing cosmetic products obtained from drugstores or supermarkets in Poland, bakuchiol was also detected at the levels declared by the manufacturers, indicating that it stayed stable from the time the products were prepared through to the time they were purchased (R).

Does bakuchiol get absorbed?

Bakuchiol has been shown to be absorbed by pig ear skin without penetrating across it (R). When incorporated in a nanoemulsion that was applied onto full-thickness pig skin, it was found mostly in the stratum corneum after 1 hour, and in the deeper layers of the skin after another 6 hours (R).