What is Phenylethyl Resorcinol and What are Its Skin Benefits? Uses in Skincare & Cosmetics + Top Products

Overview

Phenylethyl resorcinol is an ingredient derived from resorcinol, an antioxidant and anti-pigment active molecule. The mechanism of its anti-pigment activity is through the inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme in the skin, which is responsible for the production of skin pigment.

Phenylethyl resorcinol was developed as an alternative to kojic acid or hydroquinone, and studies on human volunteers have shown good results after 12 weeks – up to a 43% decrease in brown spots and uneven skin tone.

The only downside is that Phenylethyl Resorcinol is unstable in light. The current research is focused on not only different formulations that can protect the ingredient from light, but also on increasing the permeation into the skin – lipid carriers, vesicle carriers, or polymeric microspheres.

Science

Zhang, Y., Sil, B. C., Kung, C. P., Hadgraft, J., Heinrich, M., Sinko, B., & Lane, M. E. (2019). Characterization and topical delivery of phenylethyl resorcinol. International journal of cosmetic science, 41(5), 479–488.

Gold, M.H. and Biron, J. Efficacy of a novel hydroquinone-free skin-brightening cream in patients with melasma. J. Cosmet. Dermatol. 10, 189–196 (2011).

Köpke, D., Müller, R. H., & Pyo, S. M. (2019). Phenylethyl resorcinol smartLipids for skin brightening - Increased loading & chemical stability. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences, 137, 104992.

Amnuaikit, T., Limsuwan, T., Khongkow, P., & Boonme, P. (2018). Vesicular carriers containing phenylethyl resorcinol for topical delivery system; liposomes, transfersomes and invasomes. Asian journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 13(5), 472–484.

Jeon, S. H., Na, Y. G., Lee, H. K., & Cho, C. W. (2019). Hybrid polymeric microspheres for enhancing the encapsulation of phenylethyl resorcinol. Journal of microencapsulation, 36(2), 130–139. https://doi.org/10.1080