Bakuchiol has quickly become a darling of the clean beauty world – deemed “a natural alternative to retinol,” marketers have gone wild over it. For what it’s worth, bakuchiol does not have many scientific studies backing its efficacy like retinoids do.
First things first, although bakuchiol is a less-irritating alternative to retinol, that doesn’t mean retinol is irritating to everyone. I think we all know by now that I adore the Cell Resurrection Recovery Serum by African Botanics (my detailed post on safer retinol formulations is here) which works great for me on a nightly basis, but it’s always good to have some gentler options to mix things up.
Enter bakuchiol. I’ve had the chance to spend a good amount of time testing all of the following bakuchiol-based products and will share according to categories that I’m asked about most frequently in terms of skincare. But let’s take a brief dive into bakuchiol first!
WHAT IS BAKUCHIOL
In a nutshell, bakuchiol is a less-irritating natural alternative to retinol. This gentle, vegan ingredient is a chemical compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties extracted from bakuchi plant seeds. While there is no structural resemblance to retinol, it has been shown to function in a similar way, increasing cell turnover (thereby stimulating collagen production) and diminishing signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and overall photodamage. However, unlike retinol (for some), bakuchiol has no harsh side effects on the skin and is a more gentle alternative. Studies have also shown bakuchiol’s abilities to reduce acne by fighting inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and roughness.
Bakuchiol has long been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, and a recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that not only did bakuchiol work as well as retinol when it came to addressing signs of aging but that it was clearly less irritating.
Good enough reason to give bakuchiol a shot, right?
Let’s take a look at some great products and then we’ll finish up with my Top 3 and Best All-Around Bakuchiol Products!
Skincare tools and devices. Everywhere you look we’ve been inundated with rollers and gua sha tools and electronic gadgets…which ones work? And should we spend our money on all this biz?
Friend, take my hand and let me lead you into the wonderful world of skincare tools. (Settle in…this might be a long one.)
A little bonus – my friend Suzi from Gurl Gone Green just posted her favorite skincare tools and devices as well. We have a few overlapping favorites, but she’s tried one that I haven’t and am DYING to. Check out her full post here!
GUA SHA
Gua Sha has been all the rage for the past few years and the momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. I personally love gua sha for de-puffing and waking up my face, as well as massaging chronically tense muscles. #jawclenchersunite
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is traditionally used in East Asian and Chinese medicine and can help with a myriad of issues from migraines to muscle pains by essentially sweeping flat stones across your face. Gua Sha can relieve tension in the facial muscles, boost blood circulation, and encourage lymphatic drainage which results in a reduction in the appearance of congestion and pimples, wrinkles, sagging and dullness, under-eye darkness and puffiness. You may notice a more clearly defined jawline, more toned neck and jowl, lifted appearance of the eye and an overall brighter skin complexion after just one session.
How do I perform Gua Sha properly?
I personally love and use the Lanshin Pro Gua Sha Tool which has several specifically-shaped edges to use on different parts of the face. There are tons of online tutorials, but I follow this one by Sandra Lanshin, who I revere as The Gua Sua Guru. Once you get this down, it only takes about 6-8 minutes to complete.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I will always utilize Gua Sha in my skincare routine because I feel it really contributes to my overall well-being. Just the act of massaging tense facial muscles and stimulating blood flow to the skin has proven to make such a difference! My skin is clearer, happier, and certainly less puffy when I am regularly using my Gua Sha tool.
RED LIGHT THERAPY
Oh, how I loooove my Joovv Go, but let’s back up for a sec and talk about red light therapy.
How does red light therapy work?
Red light therapy devices deliver natural light directly to skin cells. This reduces inflammation, improves circulation, and increases ATP energy production. Joovv devices use medical-grade LEDs to shine natural red and near-infrared light on your body – just like the wavelengths of light your body needs from natural sunlight, but without the heat or UV rays that cause sun damage.
Red light therapy is backed by thousands of peer-reviewed medical studies and clinical trials, which have shown overwhelmingly positive results, and an almost total lack of side effects or health risks. It is used at the highest professional levels – by elite athletes for training and muscle recovery, by natural health leaders and cutting-edge physicians for chronic pain management and inflammation relief, and by top estheticians for optimal skincare, collagen density, acne treatment, and breakouts.
However, consistency and proper use are key for effective red light therapy.
What are the benefits of red light therapy?
Red light therapy has been shown to produce a wide range of natural health benefits, like inflammation and pain relief, skin rejuvenation and collagen production, muscle recovery, boosting melatonin, improving sleep disorders, and balancing circadian rhythm.
What are the benefits of red light therapy in terms of skincare?
Red light therapy can help with increasing collagen, skin clarity, skin texture, and wound healing. A controlled trial from 2017 showed that women ages 30-55 who did a course of red light therapy improved the moisture content of their skin, with diminished facial wrinkles. Other studies have shown the reduction of fine lines and smoothing of skin roughness. (Study sources can be found at the bottom of the page here.) Red light therapy is also used for healing acne scars and burns, and targeted beauty treatments like improving complexion, pimples, and breakouts.
How do I use a Joovv device properly?
1. Position yourself about 6 inches from the device
2. Expose your skin for best results
3. Use for approximately 10-minutes per coverage area
You can use the device daily – I prefer to use mine right when I wake up. It’s in the drawer of my bedside table so I just grab it and get crackin’ first thing!
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
I was blown away very early on with this device. I had been using it daily upon waking for about two weeks with good results – my facial and chest skin seemed way less red (which was my initial reason for trying the device), but the true test came about when I clumsily burned my neck with a curling iron.
Well, let me tell you, that dark brownish hickey-looking burn was GONE within 4 days of using the device. Normally, it would have taken twice as long to heal. I was in disbelief. Needless to say, I’m a convert!
Anything you could possibly want to know about the Joovv devices can be found here. Use the code WHOORL for a free gift with purchase!
MICROCURRENT DEVICES
How do microcurrent devices work?
Microcurrent devices like the NuFACE Mini use micro-currents—tiny electric pulses—to gently stimulate the muscles in the face. This stimulation helps to ease tensions in the skin that eventually lead to wrinkles while improving circulation for increased collagen production. The MINI stimulates the larger surface areas of your face and neck with gentle microcurrent, going beyond skin deep to improve facial contour, facial tone and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
What are the benefits of using microcurrent devices?
Looking damn good. Enough said. ;)
Okay okay, you want details. More defined facial tone and features, softening of fine lines and wrinkles, improved circulation, and tighter skin, to name a few.
How do I use the NuFACE MINI?
I personally use the MINI for 5-10 minutes per day, 2-3 times per week. When you start with this device, you should use it 5 days per week but after 2 months, you can go into maintenance mode which is only 2-3 times per week.
You must use a primer to conduct the microcurrent during your routine. NuFACE has its own primer (which comes with the device) or you can use a water-based gel, such as Aloe Vera gel. Badger Fair Trade Aloe Vera Gel is my favorite and I’ve tried lots.
MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE MINI
I go into full detail in this video, so take a look! (I use both the NuFACE Mini and the NuFACE FIX Line Smoothing Device in the video. The Mini is the workhorse while the FIX is for fine-tuning.)
I really view each one of these tools as integral to different facets of my skincare, but for me, I would have to go with the NuFACE MINI device. It’s made the biggest difference in my 45-year-old skin and I can’t imagine not using it! So for overall lifting and firming, I would go with NuFACE. If redness and/or acne are your biggest concerns, I’d choose the Joovv Go. For facial tension and puffiness, I would go with the Lanshin Pro!
I hope this was helpful for you all – as always, feel free to comment with any questions you might have about the devices!
