WHY BAKUCHIOL
Why bakuchiol?
Bakuchiol is a plant-derived compound, not a retinoid. That difference is where HALENE starts.
People step away from retinol for sensitivity, dryness, or a routine they could not keep up with. Published research has studied bakuchiol as a retinoid-free option for the same signs of photoaging, including wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
THE EVIDENCE
Bakuchiol, measured against retinol.
In a 12-week randomized, double-blind study, researchers compared 0.5% bakuchiol used twice daily with 0.5% retinol used once daily. Both reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistical difference between them. The retinol group reported more scaling and stinging.
12 weeks. 0.5% bakuchiol vs 0.5% retinol. Comparable reduction in wrinkles and pigmentation.
Dhaliwal et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2019.
Retinoid-free. Fragrance-free. Built on bakuchiol.
THE SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting ingredients earn their place.
Bakuchiol sits at the center, and it does not work alone. Niacinamide at 4% in No. 01 is linked in published research to higher ceramide levels and less water loss through dry skin. Beta-glucan and hyaluronic acid add hydration; ceramides, squalane, and centella carry the overnight step; peptides and caffeine keep the eye area light.
Who is HALENE for?
Anyone who wants visible results without a traditional retinol routine, including people who tried retinol and stopped because of irritation, or never wanted to start. The routine is retinoid-free and fragrance-free.
Will it irritate my skin?
Bakuchiol is not a retinoid. In the comparison study, the bakuchiol group reported less scaling and stinging than the retinol group, and HALENE is fragrance-free. As with any new product, patch test first and introduce it gradually.
What study are you referencing?
A 12-week randomized, double-blind study in the British Journal of Dermatology (Dhaliwal et al., 2019), comparing 0.5% bakuchiol used twice daily with 0.5% retinol used once daily in 44 patients with facial photoaging.
What did the study find?
Over 12 weeks, bakuchiol and retinol produced a comparable decrease in wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation, with no statistical difference between them. The retinol group reported more facial scaling and stinging.
Is HALENE clinically proven?
The bakuchiol research behind the formula is published, independent, and peer-reviewed. We build the routine on that evidence and stay precise about it: these are studies of the ingredient, not a trial of our finished products. We would rather be exact than overstate.
Why does consistency matter?
Results depend on how well a routine fits your life, how often you use it, your skin type, and time. HALENE makes that easier to sustain: three steps, no retinoids, and no added fragrance.
THE ROUTINE
Start with the full routine.
Three retinoid-free steps, built around one active direction: No. 01 Serum, No. 02 Eye Cream, and No. 03 Overnight Cream.