Bakuchiol vs Retinol: What the 2018 RCT Actually Found
The Dhaliwal 2018 RCT compared bakuchiol vs. retinol for 12 weeks. Here's what the trial actually showed about efficacy, hyperpigmentation, and tolerability.
Abnormal Pigment and the Inflammatory Pathway
Normal pigment is healthy skin biology. Abnormal pigment is a different cosmetic concern: uneven excess pigment influenced by signals such as inflammation, oxidative stress, plasmin, and alpha-MSH.
Hydroquinone Alternatives for Hyperpigmentation: 7 Picks (2026)
A board-certified plastic surgeon ranks 7 hydroquinone alternatives for hyperpigmentation and melasma — backed by clinical evidence and what to actually use.
Hydroquinone vs. Tranexamic Acid: A Plastic Surgeon's Guide to Safer Skin Brightening
For decades, hydroquinone was the answer when patients came in with melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), or stubborn dark spots. Effective, proven, and well-studied — but increasingly difficult to recommend without caveats.
Why CODE3 Combines Tranexamic Acid + Bakuchiol + Quercetin: The Science of the Formula
CODE3 combines 10% tranexamic acid, bakuchiol, and quercetin to support abnormal-pigment correction while respecting normal pigment. A physician-developed formula story around upstream pigment signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress.