Bakuchiol: The Natural Retinol Alternative Safe for Sensitive SKin and Pregnancy

Skincare should be safe, gentle and effective. The entire Melvory range is Australian Certified toxic-free, cruelty free and pregnancy friendly. 

We stayed true to this philosophy when we upgraded Melvory’s best-selling Peptide and Probiotic Face cream. We’re adding Bakuchiol, one of the most exciting ingredients in modern skincare!

Introducing our Bakuchiol Advanced Restore Face Cream.

It’s the same beloved formula as our Peptide and Probiotic barrier support cream, now supercharged with Bakuchiol (the skin-renewing super ingredient taking the beauty world by storm!). 

You can expect the same fresh scent and silky texture that you’ve come to love. Just one powerful new addition that delivers retinol-level results without any of the drawbacks. 

Bakuchiol (say it: ba-KOO-chee-ol) is a plant-derived compound extracted from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, a herb with roots in ancient Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. It has a lot of credibility, as it is one of the most well-researched natural alternatives to retinol. 

Retinol is widely considered the gold standard as an anti-aging ingredient in the modern skincare world. It boosts collagen, speeds cell turnover and fades pigmentation. 

But it can also cause irritation, peeling and photosensitivity. Plus it’s not recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Bakuchiol however achieves similar results through a completely different mechanism, and does it gently.

Let’s look at some studies which compare Bakuchiol with Retinol. 

Bakuchiol vs Retinol: A Head-to-Head

A landmark randomised, double-blind study published in the British Journal of Dermatology compared the use of 0.5% bakuchiol cream (applied twice daily), with 0.5% retinol cream (applied daily) by 44 participants over 12 weeks. 

The results showed that both ingredients significantly reduced the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and skin pigmentation. There were no statistically significant differences in anti-aging efficacy between the two groups, but the retinol group experienced significantly more scaling and stinging.

How incredible that Bakuchiol achieved the same results, but with far less irritation. Details of study here.

Unlike Retinol, Bakuchiol doesn't increase sun sensitivity, which means you can use this cream both morning and night without risk of photosensitivity. 

That twice-daily consistency is exactly what clinical results are built on. With Retinol it is safest to use it at night where your skin is in repair mode, and without the risk of sun-induced irritation. 

To understand why Bakuchiol is special, it helps to know first understand how Retinol works. 

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that binds to retinoic acid receptors in skin cells. This triggers collagen production, cell turnover and pigmentation correction. It’s very effective, but there are also side effects. That same receptor-binding process can cause inflammation, peeling and photosensitivity in many people. So while retinol delivers results there is often a cost to it. 

Bakuchiol however delivers very similar results without the side effects. 

It’s structurally and chemically distinct from Vitamin A. It’s not a retinoid but it switches on the same genes in your skin. So it triggers the same collagen production and cell renewal without the irritation. 

It also brings something Retinol doesn't: That is, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of its own. A 2022 peer-reviewed study confirmed that Bakuchiol works on multiple levels within the skin simultaneously. It boosts collagen production, neutralises free radical damage, supports the skin's natural repair processes, and calms inflammation. Details of study here.

Of course, results mean very little if your skin cannot tolerate the ingredient. Researchers also tested Bakuchiol specifically on sensitive skin, the skin type that cannot typically use Retinol without side effects. 

A clinical study found that a nature-based Bakuchiol cleanser and moisturiser was well tolerated and effective in individuals with sensitive skin (these participants typically cannot use Retinol without irritations) Details of study here.

If you've ever tried retinol and had to quit because your skin turned red, flaky or painfully tight, you're not alone. 

Retinol sensitivity is one of the most common reasons people give up on anti-ageing actives altogether.

Bakuchiol doesn't cause what is known as the retinisation period, that is the weeks-long adjustment phase where your skin looks worse before it gets better. You can use it morning and night, in all seasons, without building up slowly. And because it's anti-inflammatory, it can actually calm your skin at the same time that it's improving it.

This makes Bakuchiol skincare appropriate for:

• Sensitive and reactive skin — those with redness, rosacea, eczema-prone, easily irritated skin

• Dry or dehydrated skin — there is no stripping or disruption to the moisture barrier

• Acne-prone skin — it's anti-inflammatory and proven to help reduce congestion

• Mature skin — it's a clinically effective anti-ageing active without the peeling

• Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive — unlike Retinol (which is classified as potentially harmful during pregnancy), Bakuchiol is not a form of Vitamin A and does not carry the same teratogenic risks. We always recommend checking with your healthcare provider or midwife, as individual circumstances vary.

Bakuchiol + Lactococcus Probiotic Ferment: Barrier First

Your skin's microbiome (the ecosystem of beneficial bacteria that live on the surface) is increasingly understood to be foundational to healthy, resilient skin. 

Our Lactococcus probiotic ferment helps balance the skin's bacterial landscape, reducing blemishes and calming inflammation. 

Bakuchiol brings its own anti-inflammatory properties to the formulation, making the combination particularly powerful for anyone dealing with breakouts alongside ageing concerns (a common but not much discussed combination).

Bakuchiol + Rosehip + Vitamin E: Antioxidant Amplification

The cream's rosehip oil and vitamin E already provide antioxidant protection.

Bakuchiol's antioxidant activity is significantly amplified when combined with other antioxidants. This means the whole formula is now more effective than the sum of its parts.

If you've been wanting to try and incorporate Retinol into your skincare routine but am worried about skin irritations, Bakuchiol is your perfect entry point. 

It's clinically shown to be comparably effective, ensures a gentler delivery and is now formulated alongside the peptides and probiotics that have made this cream our best-seller for 10+ years.

Your skin deserves actives that work for it, not against it.

Shop our upgraded facecream: Bakuchiol Advanced Restore Cream.