Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Why Balance Me Bakuchiol Smoothing Serum* transformed my skin...

 

*Advertisement information - This product was sent to me as PR with no obligation to share them

Trying this serum was my first foray into Bakuchiol, I have used products before that featured it but not as a main ingredient. It has been a truly incredible ingredient for my skin and this serum has been a firm staple in my routine since I received it end of June.

What is Bakuchiol?

I have touched on this in my last post here but essentially it is extracted from the seeds and leaves of the Psoralea Corylifolia plant. It has been used for years in ayurvedic medicine as an anti-inflammatory and helps protect the skin with its antioxidant properties.

What does this serum do?

It is formulated to soothe the skin, improve radiance and texture as well as reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Rich in antioxidants, it also has anti-pollution and anti-blue light protection.

Key Ingredients

1% Bakuchiol – improves lines, wrinkles, skin firmness, and pigmentation without irritation

Terminalia Chebula Fruit – high in antioxidants to boost vitamin c activity, increase collagen production and maintain hydration. This also reduces inflammation and offers anti-pollution and blue light protection which means the serum is effective whichever time of day you use it as it works according to individual skin needs. Something of a wonder ingredient which works in synergy with bakuchiol to give boosted results

Cacay Oil – A potent antioxidant nut oil which enhances radiance and helps smooth skin, it is particularly fantastic for oily/acne-prone skins as its rich in linoleic acid has 3x the amount of natural vitamin A than rosehip oil

How I use it

In the PM I apply 1 pump after my hydrating serum, I either use alongside retinol or on my ‘break nights’ to keep up results. For me, it’s not necessary to apply a hydrating serum beforehand but I like to, I’m all about layering!

My Thoughts

Rarely do I see results overnight with serums but with this I did. The milky texture feels comforting and rich on the skin, yet it readily absorbs. A real joy to apply. As with all Balance Me products the scent is a factor worth talking about. Frankincense and Lavender stands out, along with Rose Geranium, May Chang, and Palo Santo. It is honestly one of the most delightful things to use in the evenings when winding down. Hence why I like to reserve for PM only.

Upon application my skin instantly feels soothed and calmed, it is fantastic for when skin is feeling a little irritated, whether that be due to breakouts or sensitivity this serum seems to take down the heat and redness.

When I first used this serum, I had some texture issues on the side of my cheek so was pleasantly surprised to find that the next morning my skin was looking and feeling smoother with no irritation. From then on, I haven’t been able to step away from it. Over time the biggest difference has been texture improvement and the ability to speed up the healing time of blemishes/breakouts. It’s quite miraculous!

Now I have to touch on this again because I have a bit of a bugbear when it comes to people comparing bakuchiol to retinol! I have discussed this in my previous post, but it is not a replacement for retinol. It simply will not give the same effects; they are chemically and structurally different. There are similarities in certain areas but honestly don’t use it in the hope of getting the same results.

For me personally, this is the perfect product to use alongside retinol to give boosted effects and also a great option for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding as it’s safe to use. I love that there is no planning or thinking associated with using this, it’s easy to slot into your routine and works well with any other product. I have had no piling or adverse reactions from combining it with anything.

In short with consistent use my skin is brighter and more refined with bumpy patches becoming less significant. It has rescued my skin on a number of occasions and because of that, I will absolutely purchase with my own money. It's also important to note that as a brand they are making strides towards a more sustainable future, the bottle and cap can come apart and is 100% recyclable. 

You can buy this here, 30ml for £32.00 which is rather reasonably priced! For more information and a full ingredients list click the link above. 

Have you used bakuchiol before and if not, would you consider it?

Thank you for reading!


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