Bakuchiol Oil for Acne : Complete Guide

Skincare trends come and go but some ingredients stand the test of time for their genuine efficiency and visible results, one such natural oil is bakuchiol oil. Apart from being a powerful antiageing solution, bakuchiol oil has taken the market by storm due to its prominent benefits for acne and related concerns.

While various actives like retinol, salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid remain at the forefront of the war against acne, bakuchiol oil is slowly crawling in the fight and creating a name of its own.

But does bakuchiol help with acne or is it just another skincare fad?

Let’s find out in this bakuchiol oil complete guide for acne.

What Is Bakuchiol Oil?

Bakuchiol oil gets its name from bakuchi seeds that are native to Southeast Asia, particularly India. The oil was earlier and traditionally known as babchi oil but the recent identification of the active, bakuchiol, made it popular as bakuchiol oil.

The botanical or scientific name of its parent seeds is Psoralea corylifolia.

While bakuchiol oil is extracted via several methods, cold-pressed virgin bakuchiol oil is often considered to be one of the best. This is because cold pressing doesn’t have any heat involved which ensures a higher percentage of active compounds are obtained in the oil.

The result? 

A nourishing natural oil that doubles as an active skincare ingredient. 
Bakuchiol mimics the effect of retinol on the skin and hence is often called vegan retinol or plant-derived retinol. While retinol can often be difficult to use for sensitive skin individuals, bakuchiol oil can provide similar benefits minus irritation. When comparing bakuchiol vs retinol, the latter is usually preferred for quick results but the former is picked for its slow but safer results.

How Does Bakuchiol Oil Help with Acne?

Using bakuchiol for acne works at multiple levels targeting numerous aspects of acne. Bakuchiol oil contains a potent combination of bioactive compounds including bakuchiol, bakuchin, flavonoids, and other micronutrients that work in synergy and provide regenerative benefits.

This means the rate at which skin sheds old cells and creates new ones increases significantly leading the way for clearer and acne-free skin.

A Study published by Ratan K Chaudhari and Francois Marchio found that bakuchiol is one of the most promising compounds after retinol that significantly supports the work of numerous anti-acne products.

Apart from helping produce new cells, bakuchiol oil also shows antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which prevent new acne development and tame existing redness. Just like tea tree essential oil, this cold pressed natural oil also prevents bacterial growth and excess oil production.

Bakuchiol oil is also a good option for post-acne marks. It increases collagen production and helps lessen dark spots and marks left by acne.

Adding on to the list of bakuchiol oil benefits for skin, it is also non-comedogenic which means it can easily be used by oily skin individuals without the fear of getting pores clogged.

Bakuchiol vs Retinol for Acne – Which Is Better?

Retinol is a trusted active ingredient for reducing acne and related concerns. With bakuchiol oil being referred to as a vegan alternative to retinol the obvious question arises - is bakuchiol good for acne? If yes, which of the two is better?

The answer largely depends on skin type, severity, and of course expert recommendations given to you. Retinol usually shows faster results but can cause allergic reactions and skin sensitivities in some cases. It also makes skin susceptible to other stressors for example UV damage. Hence, it is important to avoid stepping out in the sun when using retinol.

Bakuchiol on the other hand is like the turtle in the rabbit and turtle race. While it could be slightly slow in showing results compared to retinol, the natural oils in it make it more gentle on the skin and suitabl most skin types. Instead of making skin sensitive, bakuchiol oil rather calms down irritation or redness in the skin.

Whether you decide to pick retinol or bakuchiol for acne, make sure to perform a patch test and check with a dermatologist before you go all in.

Precautions & Side Effects

While bakuchiol oil is a natural plant-derived extract and mostly works well with all skin types, it is vital to follow certain precautions for optimum results. Considering using bakuchiol for acne? Here’s a list of precautions and possible side effects to keep in mind.

• Directly applying bakuchiol - Use bakuchiol oil in a product formulated by experts instead of directly applying it. This ensures the right potency and quantity reaches your skin. 

• Check for any seed oil or babchi seed allergies - Bakuchiol is derived from Psoralea corylifolia and some people could be potentially allergic to these seeds. Perform a patch test on the inner part of your elbow and wait for 24 hours before using bakuchiol oil extensively. 

• Double-check if you are pregnant - Bakuchiol oil is mostly considered safe for pregnant women however it is still advisable to check with your healthcare provider before using it. 

• Create test batch for soap making - Using bakuchiol with or without essential oils for soap making might cause slight discoloration. Either stick to the quantity mentioned in the soap recipe or create a sample batch before you use it for large-scale soap production. In spite of being a carrier oil, mix it with other natural oils like jojoba oil or sweet almond oil in soap soap-making recipe. Learn more best essential oils combination for soap making.

• Don’t confuse bakuchiol with bakuchiol oil - The former is a derivative of the latter and hence is more potent. Check which of the two works better for your recipe.

• Select high-grade extracts for effective results - Selecting the right quality of bakuchiol oil is important to get maximum benefits. A reputed wholesale essential oils supplier will disclose the active percentage of the oil that can help you make a more informed decision. With numerous essential oil wholesalers offering bakuchiol oil online, check for a certificate of analysis that has details of bakuchiol content in the specific batch.

Conclusion

Using Bakuchiol oil for acne could be an effective yet gentle alternative to retinol. It improves cell regeneration rate, prevents bacteria growth, and reduces redness and inflammation on the skin. Structurally using bakuchiol for acne with the right precautions might also work on acne marks and other dark spots. This makes it a new favorite skincare ingredient and opens numerous possibilities to inculcate it in cosmetic, soap, and other beauty product recipes.

Make sure to select a high quality bakuchiol oil, preferably cold-pressed and virgin, from a bulk essential oil supplier like Aromachology Oils. Cosmetic and skincare makers can greatly benefit from unique bulk natural oils like bakuchiol oil as it helps making your products stand out without being too heavy on the pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does bakuchiol oil help acne?

Yes, bakuchiol oil helps acne by clearing pores, restricting bacteria growth and increasing collagen production. It can be used as a more gentle alternative to retinol as it doesn’t cause sensitivity in most cases.

How long does bakuchiol take to work for acne?

Bakuchiol can take somewhere around 2-12 weeks to show promising results for acne depending on skin type and usage pattern. Consult a skin specialist before incorporating it in your skincare routine if you are already using anti-acne products.

Is bakuchiol pore clogging?

No, bakuchiol has a comedogenic rating of just 1 which means it is very less likely to clog pores. It has a light weight and non greasy texture.

Does bakuchiol make you break out?

Directly and excessively using bakuchiol over bakuchiol oil might occasionally cause breakout hence dilution is key and always start with a patch test.

What not to mix with bakuchiol?

Avoid mixing bakuchiol with other active ingredients like glycolic acid or salycylic acid. A lot of skincare enthusiasts also often ask - can you use bakuchiol with vitamin c and the answer is no as mixing too many actives in one go can do more harm than good.