Anti-ageing retinol alternative is our pregnancy-safe skincare hero!
It’s official – retinol has gone mainstream. Beauty insiders may have been shouting about it for years, but Retinol has officially emerged as ‘2022’s biggest beauty trend’ based on research by Hey Discount. With over 2.1 billion Tiktok views (and counting), 635,000 Instagram hashtags and almost 9.3 million Google searches, Retinol is reaching and resonating with a younger demographic than ever before, with many skin-savvy gen zedders using it to prevent early signs of aging and UV damage.
There’s just one problem - retinols should not be used during pregnancy.
So, what is the alternative?
Another cell regulator that is gaining traction for boasting similar benefits is Bio-retinol, or Bakuchiol. Pregnancy safe, vegan and beginner friendly, a 2019 study[2] revealed that Bakuchiol “is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve photoaging and is better tolerated than retinol”.
The benefits of using bio-retinol while pregnant
Not only does Bakuchiol boast comparable anti-aging credentials to retinol, it has also been shown to improve a number of skin complaints specifically brought on by the extreme hormonal changes experienced in pregnancy.
- Improve complexion: These hormone fluctuations can increase blood flow to the skin and result in a blotchy, red complexion - bakuchiol may be able to help with that! A 2020 study[3] revealed that bio-retinol exhibits massive anti-inflammatory potential - calming visible signs of redness and general inflammation.
- Fade hyperpigmentation: known to help brighten the skin and fade areas of pigmentation, bakuchiol might also be your secret weapon to tackling hyperpigmentation or the ‘mask of pregnancy’ as it is often referred.
- Reduce oxidative stress: during pregnancy, your cells are working, growing, repairing and breathing at a much faster rate, thus producing a much greater amount of free radicals. Bakuchiol has been shown to possess powerful anti-oxidant properties[4] that can protect your skin from damage and help maintain collagen production
How can you introduce Bakuchiol into your skincare routine?
Another trend that took #skintok by storm at the end of 2022 is ‘Skin Cycling’. A phrase coined by New York Dermatologist, Dr Whitney Bowe, to describe a simple night time skincare regime that balances and rotates active ingredients with moisturiser to help keep the skin barrier intact. The best part about skin cycling is that it can be adapted for different skin types, ages, lifestyles and budgets.
A four-day rotation is most popular, typically using active ingredients for two nights of the week, followed by two nights of rest. The cycle is usually to be performed at night (exfoliants and retinoids make skin light sensitive and should be used before bed). While Bakuchiol will not make your skin more sensitive to UV exposure, always wear an SPF daily to protect your skin from premature ageing and sun damage.
If you’d like to know more about skin cycling, we’ve written an in depth guide on our health hub here.
What products do we recommend?
A vegan everyday face serum to supplement your existing skincare products, it stimulates collagen production and dramatically improves the texture of your skin, without irritating it.
With 4% bakuchiol, this silky super-oil complex also contains hydrating plant squalane, omega rich hemp and rosehip oils, and softening meadowfoam oil to promote a more youthful complexion.
Supercharge your skin in this nourishing oil-based booster. This Bio-Retinol + C Booster uses four incredible vitamins (A, C, F and E) blended into a gentle base of Rosehip Oil, allowing this product to penetrate deeper into the skin than typical water-based products.
