Hello to natural retinol the new alternative to man-made and animal products derived retinol. Natural retinoids (plant-based) are super skin friendly, have serious graceful aging properties and do not contain any animal or animal-by-products. I have been contemplating for a year now on creating an eye serum to add to the YASOU “a toast to your health” skin care family. What I knew right off the bat was it had to be a natural retinol formula.
Some people swear that there is no replacement for retinol and that may be true, but my research is showing that there are some plant-derived ingredients out there that may change that mindset. I’d like to share with you some of the ingredients I have found, which I am considering using for my up and coming eye serum. It’s time to educate ourselves on natural retinol.
Beta-carotene or carotenoids are words to look for when exploring natural retinol. What is beta carotene? Basically it’s vitamin A (retinol) which also acts as a powerful antioxidant. It’s a prototype of all other natural retinoids. The human body converts beta carotene into vitamin A (retinol) which we need for healthy skin, mucus membranes, immune system, eye health and vision.
Ingredients (extracts & oils) that are rich in beta-carotene are mango butter, carrot, pumpkin, apricot, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, and green leafy plants (like kale, collards and alfalfa) to name a few.
Cacay Oil is a pure Organic nut oil cold pressed from the nuts of Cacay trees located in Columbia. The oilhas high levels of retinol content. It is known to have more than three times the amount of retinol present in rosehip oil making it ideal for reducing wrinkles and lines, and evening out overall skin tone. It also stimulates collagen, improves elasticity, and hydrates.
Anogeissus tree bark (African Birch) has been found to have significant antioxidant activity, increasing the skin’s production of fibrillin, a structural protein of skin. Fibrillin is necessary for the skin to build elastin, which keeps the skin firm.
Bakuchiol the new buzz ingredient is a plant extract coming from the seeds and leaves of the “babchi” plant. It is known to improve fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, skin elasticity and firmness, as well as increasing cell turnover, stimulating collagen production. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Vegan bakuchiol is the natural alternative to retinol giving you the same results that man- made retinol does (study) published in The British Journal of Dermatology) but without skin irritation of scaling and stinging the skin like retinol may. You can also use bakuchiol in the daytime. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is safe to use during the day unlike retinol that tends to cause mild inflammatory responses in daylight. You still need to apply your SPF. It is a “win, win” natural ingredient that gives the same benefits as retinol but is vegan, and non-irritant to most skin types. You may want to do a test to make sure it is agreeable to your skin.
Bakuchiol is a great retinol alternative for everyone that is sensitive to retinol side effects, is vegan, or wants to practice a natural skin care regime. I am going to consider this ingredient for YASOU skin care’s eye serum. I’ve fallen in love with it! (photo source: venusian glow)