As the European Union enforces a new law on retinol, many skincare lovers will be searching for alternatives to use. The new laws restrict the concentration of retinol in over-the-counter skin care products, limiting face and hand products to 0.3% pure retinol and body lotions to 0.
05%. These rules aim to prevent overexposure to vitamin A, which can lead to health issues. Existing higher concentration products have a three-year grace period for reformulation, while prescription retinoids like tretinoin are not affected by these changes.
For those looking for a retinol alternative, Trifonia Asmar, beauty expert at Cult Beauty has shared the products that deliver comparable results, without the potential drawbacks associated with traditional retinoids. Derived from the seeds of the psoralea corylifolia plant, bakuchiol is a natural and vegan alternative to retinol. This antioxidant-rich ingredient not only diminishes pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles but also fortifies the skin against environmental stressors.
According to Trifonia, Bakuchiol's unique structure interacts with skin receptors, promoting collagen synthesis and cellular turnover for a rejuvenated complexion. How to incorporate bakuchiol into your routine: skin care products enriched with bakuchiol should be applied to help cleanse the face and neck once or twice a day after cleansing, toning or as a leave-on AHA/BHA exfoliant. For optimum results, we recommend applying your products in order of the lightest to.