Bakuchiol has been reported to exhibit strong antibacterial effects. In relation, a comparative DNA microarray study using bakuchiol and retinol, and bakuchiol’s anti-aging potential were recently reported by Chaudhuri. Interestingly, the authors reported that Tazarotene-inducible gene 1 (TIG1) is significantly up-regulated by both bakuchiol and retinol, and the expression of TIG1 is found to be down-regulated in a variety of human cancers as well as acne, rosacea and psoriasis. Thus, it is quite conceivable to assume that the up-regulation of TIG1 gene by bakuchiol may provide a solution to problem skin. This led the authors to further examine that material’s anti-acne activity in the described study, where a specific natural 95% pure meroterpene obtained from the edible seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, Bakuchiol was evaluated to determine if it could effectively treat acne-affected skin. In addition, the authors sought to determine if bakuchiol could be used in combination with salicylic acid. Assessments were made by evaluating the material’s effects on 5-α-reductase expression, antibacterial and antifungal inhibition, collagenase and elastase inhibition, and inflammation. Its clinical efficacy also was evaluated. Based on the results, formulations containing 1% bakuchiol (and) 2% salicylic acid showed a nearly 70% reduction in acne lesions and inflammation, as judged by the acne grading system. The next best results were with 1% bakuchiol, which reduced acne by a score of about 57%, whereas 2% salicylic acid only reduced acne by about 48%. As expected, the control group provided practically no improvement in the reduction of acne.None of the subjects observed or reported any adverse reaction using these formulated products. These results clearly show that bakuchiol is an effective ingredient, especially when combined with an exfoliating agent like salicylic acid, for the treatment of acne.

Source: Dweck, Anthony. Handbook of Natural Ingredients (Dweck Books 4) . Dweck Data. Kindle Edition.

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