Bakuchi is the Sanskrit terminology of this miraculous herb as mentioned in the archaic Ayurvedic manuscripts, which is also usually referred to as Babchi in Hindi. It is also known by numerous other names in Sanskrit -Bvalguja, Chanderprabha, Sashilekha, Shulotkha, Sitavari, Soma, Vejani, besides its varied terminologies in regional Indian languages. In Hindi, it is known as Babchi, Bavanchiyan, Bakuci, Bemchi, in Marathi – Bavchi, in English – Bakuchi, in Kannada - Bavachige, Bavanchi, in Tamil - Karpokarishi, Karpokarisi, in Telugu – Bavanchalu, in Malayalam – Karkokil and in Bengali - Bavachi, Latakasturi, Kakuch. As a natural skincare brand owner, I can say how rare it is for anything botanical to have high-quality or plentiful data, and I'm impressed by Bakuchiol. Do I think it will produce equivalent results to long-term retinol use or prescription treatments? Unlikely. As interest in so-called clean beauty continues to rise, bakuchiol has become one of the “it” ingredients in this category because of its purported ability to promote healthy skin aging. Makers of bakuchiol say it’s a natural, plant-derived alternative to a retinoid or retinol, which is a vitamin A–based chemical that helps improve the turnover of skin cells and stimulates collagen synthesis for smoother and more radiant skin.

Scientific studies show how Babchi acts on melanoblastic and Rouget’s cells, stimulating pigment production. Cho, Hyun; Jun, Jung-Yang; Song, Eun-Kyoung; etal. (2001). "Bakuchiol: a hepatoprotective compound of Psoralea corylifolia on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in Hep G2 cells". Planta Medica. 67 (8): 750–751. doi: 10.1055/s-2001-18347. PMID 11731920. S2CID 260279217. I was curious as I’d read that it had retinol-like properties, without the typical side effects of redness and flaking.In 1933 the world was introduced to psoralen. The definition is that psoralen is a chemical substance (C 11H 6O 3) found in some plants that photosensitizes mammalian skin and is used in conjunction with ultraviolet light to treat psoriasis. Lystvan, Kateryna; Belokurova, Valeria; Sheludko, Yuriy; Ingham, John L.; Prykhodko, Valeria; Kishchenko, Olena; Paton, Evgenija; Kuchuk, Mykola (2009-12-20). "Production of bakuchiol by in vitro systems of Psoralea drupacea Bge". Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 101 (1): 99–103. doi: 10.1007/s11240-009-9657-0. ISSN 0167-6857. S2CID 10481048.

Seeds of this plant are diuretic, laxative and also used to cure poisoning by scorpion and snake bites. In 2018, a randomized, double-blind, 12-week clinical study with 44 volunteers demonstrated that Bakuchiol is comparable with retinol in its ability to improve photo-aging (wrinkles, hyperpigmentation) but has a better skin tolerance (source) This means the consumer might see results, but it's just as possible they will get no effect or even side effects from using an unpurified ingredient. While older sis, retinol, may be used to taking all the glory for many years, bakuchiol’s been patiently waiting in the wings for her moment to finally arrive. And that moment, is now. The benefits of bakuchiolThere are several different types of phototherapy—including narrowband UVB, broadband UVB, targeted UVB [excimer laser or light], and UVA with psoralens (topical, oral, or bath)—and all of them involve exposing the skin to light.

For a superb multi-benefit facial oil consider combing equal parts of bakuchiol oil, dragonfruit oil, and rosehip seed oilKumar Uikey S, Yadav AS, Sharma AK, Rai AK, Raghuwanshi DK, Badkhane Y, et al. The Botany, Chemistry, Pharmacological and Therapeutic Application of Psoralea corylifolia L.-A Review. International Journal of Phytomedicine [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2022 Feb 14];2:100–7. Available from: http://www.arjournals.org/ijop.html protect the skin from damaging and ageing free radical activity generated from UVA /UVB rays and pollution Cold pressing is the most natural method of obtaining oil from a plant’s fruits or seeds. No heat, solvents, or other techniques are applied to the raw materials except mechanical pressure. This yields a pure and unaltered oil, often aromatic and colourful. Unique stories If babchi seeds are cold-pressed or expeller-pressed, you have Psoralea corylifolia seed oil. If the seeds or leaves are macerated in oil or extracted with a solvent (i.e. ethanol, acetone), you have Psoralea corylifolia seed/leaf extract. Again, these might be referred to as babchi oil or bakuchi oil - but they represent an unrefined carrier oil and not the pure chemical form of Bakuchiol that is sought after.