You asked, and we’ve got answers! We recently asked you, our tribe, for skincare questions you’d love to have answered directly from our board of experts. While we received an incredible number of responses, we’ve narrowed them down to the top five most frequently asked questions. 

What is Bakuchiol and why is it often compared to Retinol? 

Bakuchiol is a commonly used plant based (derived from the Babchi plant) ingredient used in Ayurvedic medicine, and is found in our PM Sunset Restore Serum. While it has similar benefits to Retinol, dermatologists and experts in the field consider it a safer alternative resulting in less skin irritation. For those with sensitive skin, who are pregnant or nursing, or for skincare beginners, Bakuchiol presents a gentler solution.*  

This ancient ingredient has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are healing and soothing to the skin. With frequent usage, it is also known to minimize the appearance of pores, firm the skin, and aid in fading dark spots.To add, this elasticity promoting ingredient helps with reducing fine lines and wrinkles, acne and related scarring, as well as uneven skin tone. 

*NOTE: It is important to note that while our PM Sunset Restore Serum was formulated with pregnant and breastfeeding women in mind (fun fact: our founder, Diipa, was pregnant with baby Dua throughout production and sampling), it is always best to run any new skin care products by your OBGYN. Everyone’s skin is different, and therefore consulting with a medical professional is recommended. 

Is some irritation (redness, bumps, black heads) common with the AM serum? What should I do if I'm experiencing this? 

Some irritation such as redness, bumps, or blackheads can be common with the AM Sunrise Glow Serum due to its high percentage of L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C). It has been shown to be sensitizing and irritating to certain skin types such as dry and sensitive skin. The best way to mitigate these risks is to use the serum on alternate days and most importantly, follow it with sunscreen (especially if you plan to step out into the sun). L-Ascorbic Acid and sun exposure can increase irritation, hence it's always a good idea to ensure adequate protection. Finally, if irritation persists, sometimes it's best to give the AM serum a break for a few weeks until your skin heals and then restart usage once a week, building it up to two or three times a week.

I'm a skincare beginner -- how should I incorporate the serums into my routine?

For skincare beginners, we recommend using half a pipette of the AM Sunrise Glow Serum every alternate day. And using the PM Sunset Restore Serum on the days that you are not applying the AM serum. An example would be to use AM serum M/W/F and using the PM serum T/TH/Sat. And of course, using enough sunscreen during the day is always a good idea! 

Our AM Sunrise Glow Serum can be used as early as late teens and the PM Sunset Restore Serum can be used beginning one’s early-to-late twenties (or when you start experiencing any fine lines/wrinkles). Both serums have been formulated to be very gentle and can be used as early or as late as you'd like depending on specific skin concerns.

The "glow" is from our 15% L-Ascorbic Acid in the AM Sunrise Glow Serum, which is our hero ingredient, as well as our supportive and super effective Ayurvedic ingredients such as Ashwagandha and Turmeric. These ingredients have brightening effects that help to reduce any discoloration on the skin. The "glow" in the PM Sunset Restore Serum comes from our star ingredient, Bakuchiol, which helps even overall appearance of skin tone, as well as our key Ayurvedic ingredients such as Amla and Saffron – both of which have shown to also brighten skin tone, leaving the skin supple and radiant!

Meet our board of experts here! We’re lucky to have them as part of our journey!