Esse Bakuchiol Serum

Bakuchiol has been shown to provide improvements in key ageing metrics such as:

• Wrinkle depth​
• Collagen and elastin support​
• Photoageing​
• Oxidative stress​
• Pigmentation​
• Hydration​
• Anti-inflammatory activity

• Bakuchiol – a potent antioxidant that reduces inflammation and skin roughness while addressing ageing by reducing wrinkle depth, hyperpigmentation and collagen and elastin degradation. ​
• Aloe vera leaf extract – protects, hydrates, and calms the skin. ​
• Jojoba seed oil – improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, moisturises, smooths, and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin.

Apply a thin layer over the face twice daily. Follow with a microbiome-friendly moisturiser.

Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Bakuchiol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Isoamyl Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Glyceryl Caprylate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Aqua (Water), Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Phytate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Vanillin

*Ingredients from organic farming
99% of the total ingredients are of natural origin
86% of the total ingredients are from organic farming

Bakuchiol Serum is a single active product, what does this mean?

The Bakuchiol Serum formulation contains multiple ingredients but a single active ingredient, as all the other ingredients are base or support ingredients. Esse has always been an advocate of minimalist skincare solutions. We believe that skincare products should be formulated to interfere as little as possible with natural skin function. While we have included Bakuchiol in previous formulations, we wanted to provide Esse users with a product that would allow them to add the anti-ageing power of Bakuchiol with minimal interference to their existing routines. A single-active product can achieve this while also reducing the likelihood of having to pay for unnecessary actives in a product.

What percentage of Bakuchiol is in the Bakuchiol Serum?

1%.

Why would you use Bakuchiol Serum?

Ageing of the skin and inflammation are closely related. The ageing process is accelerated by inflammation, which weakens the body’s defence system and leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, as well as the skin’s barrier function. The inflammatory reactions cause damage to the skin structure, leading to the appearance of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity. Bakuchiol helps prevent this process by reducing inflammation through the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory genes and enzymes. It also increases the production of collagen and elastin to maintain skin structure and is a powerful antioxidant, protecting skin from oxidative stress. Bakuchiol has multiple mechanisms for improving skin state, and the results it provides are well-studied. We’ve had great feedback on skin texture improvements as well.

When would you use the Bakuchiol Serum?

The Bakuchiol Serum can be added to your normal skincare routine to enhance the anti-ageing element in your routine. You can apply the Bakuchiol Serum before moisturising.

What Esse products are not compatible with the Bakuchiol Serum?

If you are using Esse Resurrect Serum or Clarifying Oil, there is no need to apply Bakuchiol Serum, as both of these products already contain Bakuchiol. However, if you are using other Esse leave-on products, Bakuchiol Serum is a great way to add some powerful anti-ageing activity to your routine without interfering with the rest of your products.

If Bakuchiol is great for anti-ageing, why isn’t it included in the Plus Range?

While the Plus Range is our premium anti-ageing range, it is by no means the only range containing anti-ageing products. Esse as a brand is strongly geared towards improving long-term ageing outcomes, and products in all our ranges have fantastic anti-ageing benefits. Bakuchiol Serum is included in the Core Range because it is such a versatile product, which we think should be used with much consideration.

What is the difference between the Bakuchiol Serum and the Resurrect Serum?

The Bakuchiol Serum is a single-active product that renews the skin with anti-ageing results that can be tolerated by sensitive skin. The key ingredients in the Resurrect Serum include Bakuchiol, Myrothamnus, and Gamma-aminobutyric Acid. The Resurrect Serum has been formulated to treat ageing in sensitive skin. The Bakuchiol Serum contains 1% Bakuchiol, and the Resurrect Serum contains 0.5% Bakuchiol. We would advise against incorporating the Bakuchiol Serum into your routine if you are already using the Resurrect Serum. Overloading the skin with Bakuchiol doesn’t achieve the same results as using the optimal levels of an active. There also isn’t much data backing higher percentages, and the Bakuchiol Serum alone has optimal anti-ageing results.

Can I use Bakuchiol Serum with my Plus products?

Yes, Bakuchiol Serum can be incorporated with other Esse products, including our Plus Range products.

What is the difference between bakuchiol and retinol?

While the efficacy of retinol in reducing ageing signs is well-established, retinoids are accompanied by side effects like scaling and dry skin, inflammation, and increased photosensitivity. Bakuchiol offers the same anti-ageing benefits as retinol but has improved tolerability and photostability, eliminating the greatest downsides of retinoid use. Bakuchiol also differs in structure from retinol and is referred to as a “functional analogue” because it has similar effects on the skin but has an unrelated chemical structure.

What are some benefits of Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol has been shown to reduce wrinkle depth, increase collagen and elastin production, enhance firmness and elasticity, and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Bakuchiol acts as a potent antioxidant to fight free radicals, hydrates, and has the ability to reduce inflammation.

What is the history behind Bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol was discovered through the exploration of the chemical constituents of a plant called Psoralea Corylifolia, which has a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. It is a pure compound and should not be confused with Babchi oil, which is a crude extract of the same plant. Babchi oil contains phototoxic psoralens, and to benefit from the many advantages of Bakuchiol, it is essential that this compound is purified from the crude extract. Separating Bakuchiol is difficult, as it only makes up a very small percentage of Babchi oil.