What is Bakuchiol & Squalane Oil? Everything you need to know

The new buzz words in Vegan Skincare

You may have come across the terms "bakuchiol" and "squalane" in the realm of skincare, but do you wonder what exactly they are and why they could be beneficial for your skincare routine?

Rest assured, you've come to the right place. We're here to delve into the numerous advantages offered by these remarkable oils and provide guidance on how to seamlessly integrate them into your skincare regimen for maximum benefit to your skin.

Bakuchiol Oil

If you use skin care products regularly, you've probably heard of retinol for the wide array of benefits it provides for your skin. While there's no denying that retinol is great, it's also known that products containing this ingredient can be irritating for some skins. That's why we were so excited to hear there's a new, natural alternative to retinol on the beauty block. Enter: bakuchiol, a powerful plant-based ingredient for skin that can't tolerate retinol.

Bakuchiol and retinol are compared to each other because of their shared benefits; both help to fight fine lines and wrinkles, both can prevent and alleviate acne and both can combat uneven skin tones.

What is Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol (pronounced 'back-ooh-chee-all') is extracted from the seeds of the babchi plant (Psoralea corylifolia), native to the Himalayan region. It grows in the wild and has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Benefits of Bakuchiol for Skin

• Much like retinol, bakuchiol triggers the genetic pathway in skin cells to create several types of collagen that are useful in skin health and anti-ageing. 
• Unlike retinol, bakuchiol will not make the skin more sensitive to the sun's harmful rays. 
• It evens skin tone by deeply penetrating the skin to lessen the appearance of dark spots or areas of hyperpigmentation.
• It reduces the appearance of fine lines by telling your cells to make collagen, "plumping" your skin thereby reducing the look of lines and wrinkles.
• While retinol and some other skin care ingredients may dry out skin or cause irritation, bakuchiol is more gentle and isn't known to cause any irritation.
• It speeds up skin cell regeneration by sending signals to your cells that it's time to amp up collagen production and cell turnover.
• Being gentle on the skin, it is suitable for all skin types.
• By promoting cell turnover and healthy cell regeneration, bakuchiol helps soothe and heal your skin from the inside out.

How to Use Bakuchiol

Our Frankincense Supreme, which contains a generous amount of gentle bakuchiol oil, can be used both morning and night. Unlike retinol, bakuchiol isn't known to negatively interact with other vegan skincare ingredients. Therefore, you can safely use it alongside your exfoliator and toner. 

Squalane Oil

In the vast world of skincare ingredients, squalane oil ranks amongst the most interesting and effective for dry skin. It is an emollient, a type of ingredient that works very much like the skin's own oil (sebum) to prevent moisture loss.

What is squalane?

Here's a bit of the science. Chemically, it's a hydrocarbon, a group of ingredients made of only hydrogen and carbon. Common skin-friendly hydrocarbons include petrolatum and mineral oil. Squalane is the primary one from the plant world, so it's a good alternative if you want to avoid petrochemicals which Oleo does and we suggest you do too.

A unique aspect of squalane is that it's a modified form of squalene (note the difference in spelling), one of the key components in our sebum. This fact makes squalane an ingredient that the skin instantly recognises and knows how to use. Who knew our skin was so clever!!!

Squalane is squalene that has been modified to be stable so that it does not oxidise or go rancid.

So, is squalane vegan you might ask? Traditionally, the squalene from which it's created was derived from the liver of sharks (which isn't very nice). Naturally, Oleo does not use this form, but the squalane in our Frankincense Supreme comes from olive oil. So, "yes" this is vegan.

Benefits of squalane oil for skin

• Squalane's sebum-like ability helps lubricate the skin so it feels comfortable but, unlike too much sebum, its lightweight nature keeps it from feeling greasy.
• It's recognised by other lipids present in the skin such as ceramides and cholesterol, where it works to visibly repair the skin's vital barrier, a process that can help skin look younger and become less reactive.
• It helps neutralise damage caused by UV light.
• It provides protection against lipid peroxidation which can damage pores.
• It feels lightweight and non-greasy and absorbs like a dream.
• It is unlikely to irritate skin or trigger an allergic reaction.

How to use it

Quite simply - every day - morning and night.

So, that has been quite a lot of science and facts to digest. Let me just summarise by saying that bakuchiol and squalane oils are quite possibly your skin's new best friends. With the inclusion of the wonderfully rejuvenating frankincense essential oil, our Frankincense Supreme is sure to be your new best friend. 

Choose cruelty-free, vegan skincare products. Choose Oleo Bodycare.

Blog by Olivia, Oleo Bodycare Founder