Please talk to me about backuchiol....

[Notarealmum]

I’ve just seen backuchiol mentioned on another thread and as I’ve not heard of it before did a spot of googling. Has anyone here used backuchiol products and if so what has been your experience of them?

I've used it. The boots ingredients one. It's like a more natural milder retinol . I found it useless tbh.

I have used the one by The Inkey List and I really love it! (Boots stock it)

It's plant-based and it's supposed to be similar to retinol but without the side effects. I got recommended sth with bakuchiol to use on those days when I was resting from retinol. I'll second The Inkey List and will add I've seen their retinol be recommended by a dermatologist too.
Honestly, I never used it by itself so it's hard to be sure whether it 100% worked or not! My skin liked it and that's all I can vouch for. Depending on your budget just stick to the retinol, get a fabulous SPF50 sunscreen and a good glycolic acid.
If you're looking into this you might want to look into Retinaldehydes too (Avène' good and doesn't break the bank). Easier on the skin than retinol.

I haven't used it (yet) but it achieves the same results as retinol but more gently.

Actually, industry experts are moving away from retinol in favour of gentler alternatives as its better for the skin in the long run and studies have shown that the harsher options don't achieve any greater benefits.

You'll need to use consistently for at least 3 months, as with any skincare, to see a lasting difference. Before and after photos probably useful to track progress.

@Basilbrushgotfat Holy moly! For a second I got dejá vu from this time I wanted to buy retinol from a shop and they tried to get me to buy this one instead because they didn't have the retinol! hahah! I kid you not, the lady looked at me and said exactly what you said "Actually, industry experts are moving away from retinol in favour of gentler alternatives(...)" but she added "All the big brands are doing Bakuchiol now" and then she gave me this look like if you want to hang out with the cool kids you need to buy this...

🤣🤣

She probably reads the same stuff I do!

I find skincare / dermatology really interesting so read quite widely. One of the recent studies, for example, showed that a higher strength retinol doesn't deliver any greater benefit than a lower strength so experts are no longer using them because there's no point in putting skin through the stress of a higher strength retinol.

Good news for me, since my skin can barely tolerate anything!

Thanks for the replies, I know many of you ladies here are experts at skin care! I’ve never used retinol (well, apart from Retin-A as an acne cream when I was a teenager) as I live in a very sunny climate and I worry I won’t keep my skin sufficiently protected. I’d really like something to at least freshen my complexion (though strictly it needs way more than that!) but don’t want to throw money away on just the latest ‘fad’.

@Basilbrushgotfat I find it really interesting too! I also realised I was a little too prone to buy stuff recommended to me on the spot by the people trying to sell it to me and I've found the more I know the better I'm prepared to just say thank you but that's not for me. I also got to the point where I had way too much stuff and being informed allows me to buy less though better.

@Notarealmum I'm far from being an expert but I did my research before reaching for the retinol as it's not a regular cream you can put on today and be done, it's a whole process. Honestly if you're in a sunny climate I think you're right about avoiding retinol. I wouldn't use glycolic acid or vitamin C either and I think these are the best ones to freshen up the face. I'd be worried about being sloppy with SPF too. Try adding double cleansing to your routine. It made a difference to my skin: in the morning (I use Avène now though Embryoliss doubles as a primer and is good too) and then in evening (non-oil first same as morning and then an oil one). Avène Physiolift is supposed to be good for fine lines and I don't think it has retinol.
OP, one piece of advice for you to keep in mind: never ever put anything on your face with active principles without googling how/when/where to use it. They might recommend you sth here but be sure to google some more. Here's a great place to look for info: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=bakuchiol+skin There's a lot on bakuchiol.

Thanks for the good advice @Oceanus, I’m probably better just stepping up my skincare generally.