Bakuchiol Sytenol A 5 g

Bakuchiol for acne and skin aging

Bakuchiol is a 100% natural active ingredient that is a safe alternative to retinol. Derived from the seeds of the psoralea corylifolia plant, it has a retinol-like effect but is non-phototoxic and does not require strict concentration control. Bakuchiol can be used for all skin types: dry, oily, or sensitive, and is also suitable for daytime use. If you want to maintain youthful skin, improve existing wrinkles, or find an effective solution to combat pimples and acne, Bakuchiol is the best choice today.

Ingredient Characteristics and Usage

INCI: Bakuchiol

CAS № 10309-37-2

Appearance: liquid from light yellow to light brown (the shade and saturation of the color of bakuchiol may vary from batch to batch within the specification)

Packaging: Bakuchiol is packaged in a brown glass bottle.

Purity by HPLC: > 99%

Dosage (percentage added to cosmetics): 0.5 - 1%. Do not use undiluted on skin.

Solubility: in oils, emollients, silicones, or hot emulsions at temperatures below 50°C.

Use: Brief heating in the oily phase is permitted at temperatures no higher than 75°C. Avoid the presence of iron or copper ions to prevent coloration of the finished product due to interaction between the active ingredient and these metal ions. Adding a small amount of a chelating agent solves this problem. The pH of finished cosmetics containing Bakuchiol should be 6.5 or lower.

Storage: Store in a dark place at temperatures between +10°C and +30°C, protected from direct sunlight and excessive heat. To maintain the integrity and stability of cosmetics containing Bakuchiol, it is recommended to use opaque containers. Vacuum-sealed packaging is also highly recommended.

Important: Retinol vs. Bakuchiol

• Retinol (and its metabolites—retinal, retinoic acid) act through the classical retinoid receptor (RAR/RXR) pathway, directly altering the transcription of genes regulating differentiation, proliferation, extracellular matrix synthesis, and skin remodeling. This provides a powerful anti-aging effect, but is often accompanied by irritation and photosensitivity.
• Bakuchiol, a plant meroterpene (from Psoralea corylifolia), is chemically dissimilar to retinoids and is not a precursor of retinoic acid. However, it modulates the expression of several of the same genes and pathways as retinol, stimulates collagen synthesis, and exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Clinical data indicate comparable efficacy to retinol.

Short-term effects of retinol and bakuchiol

• Retinol: rapid enhancement of cellular metabolism - redness, peeling, and a feeling of tightness are possible in the first 2-6 weeks; clinical improvement in texture and fine wrinkles is noticeable within 8-12 weeks with regular use.
• Bakuchiol: less pronounced side effects; improved texture, reduced redness and hyperpigmentation have been recorded in clinical trials after 8-12 weeks; side effects (erythema, peeling) are virtually nonexistent.

Long-term effects of retinol and bakuchiol

• Retinol: sustained dermal remodeling - increased collagen synthesis, decreased MMP activity, reduced wrinkles, and improved tone; however, with long-term use - chronic dryness/atopization and skin sensitivity, requiring constant UV protection.
• Bakuchiol: in vitro/in vivo studies confirm a maintenance anti-aging effect, reduced pigmentation, and reduced inflammation without pronounced photosensitivity.

Bakuchiol, tissue-level effects: improved dermal structure and reduced signs of photoaging with reduced irritation and without increased photosensitivity; proven clinical efficacy in reducing wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

Sytenol A in face and body cosmetics

The main value of bakuchiol is its action, similar to retinol, without its side effects. Bakuchiol's mechanisms of action are less straightforward – it is gentle on the skin and suitable even for people with atopy, rosacea, and sensitive skin. Importantly, bakuchiol does not have a teratogenic effect. Bakuchiol has much better compatibility with other ingredients compared to retinol.

Bakuchiol is a vegan ingredient that is easily soluble in oils and emollients, so it is often found in oil-based facial serums. Preparing this serum is easy: choose a blend of oils and emollients based on your skin type, add up to 1% bakuchiol and antioxidants to the mixture.

The main cosmetic properties of Sytenol A:

• Retinol-like action
• Reduction in the depth and number of wrinkles
• Stimulation of the production of collagen types I, III, and IV
• Pronounced anti-inflammatory effect - reduction in production Proinflammatory mediators in cellular models (e.g., reduction of NO, PGE2, and other markers in LPS-stimulated models)
• Pronounced brightening effect and combating hyperpigmentation (partial inhibition of tyrosinase and effects on the α-MSH pathway)
• Lack of phototoxicity, meaning Bakuchiol-based cosmetics can be used in summer
• Exhibits antioxidant activity, protects against lipid peroxidation
• Virtually no irritating effect (but we still conduct sensitivity testing)
• Actively combats acne thanks to its antimicrobial activity.

Bakuchiol's Antimicrobial Efficacy

Bakuchiol exhibits significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria (including MRSA, Cutibacterium acnes, Enterococcus spp.), dermatophyte fungi (Trichophyton mentagrophytes), and is capable of killing persisters (dormant bacteria resistant to many antibiotics, such as Staphylococcus aureus) through membrane destabilization, disruption of membrane integrity, ROS induction, disruption of iron metabolism, enzyme inhibition, and suppression of biofilm formation.

• In acne treatments, bakuchiol has a comprehensive antibacterial effect.
• It is useful in treatments for skin prone to inflammation and post-acne due to its ability to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, reduce inflammatory markers, and reduce scar tissue formation.

Brightening action: combats hyperpigmentation

Bakuchiol exhibits a multifactorial anti-melanogenic effect: inhibition of tyrosinase activity in vitro, reduction of the expression of key melanogenic proteins (MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1/2) in human melanocyte cultures and 3D models, suppression of dendrite formation (reduced transfer of melanosomes to keratinocytes), and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which indirectly reduce the stimuli for melanogenesis.

Sytenol A's rejuvenating effect

• Stimulates the synthesis of key components of the extracellular matrix (collagens I, III, VII; fibronectin), which improves the elasticity and thickness of the dermis and reduces the appearance of wrinkles.
• It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, protecting the skin from oxidative stress and damage associated with UV radiation and photoaging. Accelerates epidermal regeneration and healing, supports the skin barrier and aquaporin production, which is also important for a visually rejuvenating effect.
• It has been clinically proven that 8-12 weeks of regular use produces visible improvements: a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and increased skin elasticity.
• Bakuchiol can be considered an effective alternative to retinol in cases where retinol is undesirable due to skin irritation or sensitivity, but a clinically proven anti-aging effect is still important.

Applications in cosmetic formulations

• Products for oily, problematic skin, and acne
• Day and night creams, serums
• Anti-aging cosmetics
• Skin lightening and hyperpigmentation cosmetics
• Wrinkle-fighting cosmetics

It is recommended to start with a 0.5% dosage of Bakuchiol and increase it to 1% as needed. This component can be added to day and night cosmetics and used in summer, as bakuchiol is a photostable component.

Handmade Cosmetics Recipes and Reviews
If you're new to cream-making, creating the right recipe can be challenging. We're here to help. Visit the Beurre Cosmetic Kitchen YouTube channel, where we've developed numerous handmade cosmetics recipes and share our DIY cosmetics technology. You can also visit the Beurre Blog, where we share useful information on creating the right natural cosmetics.