Bakuchiol

A meroterpene phenol isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia (babchi), positioned as a plant-based retinol alternative with clinically demonstrated comparable efficacy on photoaging endpoints and substantially better tolerance in sensitive-skin populations.

Pale yellow to amber viscous oil at room temperature. Fully oil-soluble, stable to light and oxygen at ambient conditions, and compatible with peptides, vitamin C derivatives, and niacinamide.

We supply cosmetic-grade Bakuchiol from manufacturers in China holding ISO 22716, ISO 9001, Halal and Kosher certifications relevant to the product and production.

Common market grades include Bakuchiol 99% min (HPLC), the dominant high-purity trade form, plus pre-dilution at 10 to 30 percent in caprylic capric triglyceride for low-MOQ users. Psoralen-free certification is the central quality marker because psoralens in crude botanical extracts are photosensitizers.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering HPLC purity, psoralen content (strictly below detection limit), color, peroxide value, and microbiology.

Bakuchiol has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for over a thousand years, derived from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. Cosmetic commercialization began with Sytheon's Sytenol A in the 2000s and accelerated after the 2018 British Journal of Dermatology study by Dhaliwal et al. that compared 0.5 percent bakuchiol against 0.5 percent retinol in a randomized double-blind trial.

Industrial production is by solvent extraction of Psoralea corylifolia seeds followed by chromatographic purification to remove psoralens, then crystallization or distillation to high HPLC purity. Quality control against psoralen contamination is the single most important specification because furocoumarin psoralens are potent photosensitizers and are prohibited at cosmetic-relevant doses in major regulatory regions.

Regulatory status is that of a listed cosmetic ingredient in CosIng, the PCPC INCI dictionary, and China IECIC. The EU SCCS has reviewed bakuchiol and considers high-purity, psoralen-free material safe in cosmetic use. China NMPA accepts bakuchiol as a cosmetic ingredient subject to psoralen control.

Clinical evidence: the Dhaliwal 2018 trial showed comparable improvement in wrinkles, pigmentation, and other photoaging endpoints between 0.5 percent bakuchiol and 0.5 percent retinol over 12 weeks, with significantly less scaling, stinging, and irritation in the bakuchiol arm. Subsequent independent studies have replicated the tolerability advantage.

Strategically, bakuchiol is the leading non-retinoid anti-aging active in the global cosmetic market and the principal beneficiary of the EU's tightening retinol concentration framework. Demand is concentrated in clean-beauty, sensitive-skin, and pregnancy-safe positioning.

• Anti-aging serums and creams positioned as plant-based retinol alternatives
• Sensitive-skin and rosacea-friendly anti-aging products
• Pregnancy-safe and nursing-friendly anti-aging lines (retinoids are contraindicated in pregnancy)
• Daytime anti-aging serums (unlike retinol, bakuchiol does not increase photosensitivity)
• Eye contour treatments for fine-line appearance
• Combination formulations with peptides, niacinamide, and squalane
• Premium natural-positioned and clean-beauty SKUs
• Hair and scalp serums for thinning claims