Ingredients

Bakuchi Oil

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Bakuchi Oil — an oil derived from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia (babchi) plant, the botanical source of bakuchiol, a compound studied as a gentler alternative to retinol. The oil is used in some formulations for its purported smoothing and antioxidant effects. It should be distinguished from purified bakuchiol, and the raw seed can contain psoralens that may cause photosensitivity.

Key points

  • Bakuchi oil is the plant source from which bakuchiol, a popular retinol alternative, is derived.
  • Cosmetic products increasingly use purified bakuchiol rather than crude bakuchi oil for consistency and safety.
  • Raw babchi seed can contain psoralens, which are phototoxic compounds that may increase sun sensitivity.
  • It has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic practice, though modern cosmetic use focuses on standardized bakuchiol extracts.

Frequently asked

Is bakuchi oil the same as bakuchiol?

No; bakuchiol is a single purified compound extracted from the babchi plant, while bakuchi oil is the crude seed oil that may also contain other constituents like psoralens.

Is bakuchi oil safe to use in the sun?

Unrefined bakuchi oil can contain phototoxic psoralens, so purified bakuchiol is preferred, and daily sunscreen is recommended regardless.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. The Enigma of Bioactivity and Toxicity of Botanical Oils for Skin Care PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. The Role of Linoleic Acid in Skin and Hair Health: A Review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Benefits of topical natural ingredients in epidermal permeability barrier PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.