Hexylresorcinol in Skincare
Hexylresorcinol is considered one of the most effective skin lightening compounds in use in skin care today, and is commonly found in products used to lighten dark spots on the skin.
Hexylresorcinol is better for sensitive skin than the similar compound resorcinol.
It also has antibacterial activity.
Hexylresorcinol is completely safe to use unless you are pregnant or allergic to it.
To find out if this ingredient is the best for your skin type, shop using your Baumann Skin Type.
Is hexylresorcinol safe for skin?
Hexylresorcinol is safe for use in skin care products.
It is considered a clean ingredient and has a score of 1 from the EWG (environmental working group).
It so safe that it is used in the production of some foods like certain fruits and grains to lighten colors or correct blemishes on food.
Does hexylresorcinol have any side effects?
This skin care ingredient and food additive is not dangerous unless you have an allergy to it.
An allergy to this ingredient can cause a slight rash, redness, or irritation on the applied area.
If you are worried that you might be allergic to hexylresorcinol, apply a small amount of product to a small patch of skin; look for redness or irritation within about 12-24 hours.
If redness or a rash occurs, do not use the product.
Another possible side effect of this skin lightening ingredient is a halo around treated dark spots.
To avoid this, do not apply the product outside of target dark spots.
Hexylresorcinol products may cause irritation on applied areas if used in too great a quantity or frequency.
Overuse and irritation may cause “Post Inflammatory Pigmentary Alteration” (PIPA), a darkening of the skin.
To avoid irritation, always combine with the correct products in a skin care routine customized for your Baumann Skin Type.
is hexylresorcinol safe while pregnant
Can I use hexylresorcinol when I am pregnant?
Pregnant women are advised not to use products with hexylresorcinol because resorcinol based compounds can enter the bloodstream and have been found in urine.
There are other ways to treat conditions like melasma during pregnancy without resorcinol or hexylresorcinol-based products.
To find the right products for you, shop by your Baumann Skin Type.
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Benefits
Skin benefits of hexylresorcinol include:
Treating Hyperpigmentation
Anti-aging
Treats acne by decreasing acne causing bacteria
Lightening skin
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-Glycation
results from hexylresorcinol
How long does it take to see results
If you are using this ingredient in the proper skin care routine for your skin type, you can expect results in 8-16 weeks.
If you have used hexylresorcinol for over 3 months and have not seen results, click here.
What is hexylresorcinol good for?
Some of the notable benefits of this ingredient include:
Lightening dark spots
Alleviating acne
Treating sun damage
Improving aged skin
Skin lightening
Hexylresorcinol is a Tyrosinase Inhibitor
It prevents the production of the skin pigment melanin.
Apply it directly to dark spots 1-2 times a day as part of a complete skin lightening regimen.
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choose a skin lightening serum based on your skin type
What are the best products with hexylresorcinol?
6 best dermatologist-recommended hexylresorcinol products are:
Medature Hydro Bright Treatment- one of the most affordable options
Murad Multivitamin Infusion Oil – best for very dry skin
Derma Made Mela Fade- Also has tranexamic acid and kojic acid.
Replenix Pigment Correcting Brightening Cream- Is a cream so it is more moisturizing. It also has arbutin. Not as strong as other options, but the cheapest option.
PCA Pigment Gel Pro- Often too irritating for sensitive skin types.
MDSolarSciences MD Revitalize Retinol Serum- Combines calming agents like caffeine with retinol.
retinol
Can you use Hexylresorcinol with retinol?
Retinol and hexylresorcinol may be used together in skin care routines to treat hyperpigmentation.
Usually hexylresorcinol is used in step 3 in the am and pm routine, while retinol is used in step 5 of the pm routine, but this varies by Baumann Skin Type.
Retinol is a type of retinoid. Retinol helps with desquamation and tyrosinase inhibition, speeding the results of hexylresorcinol.
MDSolarSciences MD Revitalize Retinol Serum combines retinol and hexylresorcinol together in one serum.
hydroquinone
Is it like Hydroquinone?
Both compounds are used to treat hyperpigmentation, however they are very different.
Hexylresorcinol products are free of the safety concerns commonly associated with hydroquinone products.
Hexylresorcinol permeates the skin’s cellular membranes more efficiently than hydroquinone, kojic Acid, or licorice extract.
Hexylresorcinol products are considered cosmetics and are available over the counter or online.
Hydroquinone products are considered drugs only available by prescription in the United States.
resorcinol vs hexylresorcinol
What are the differences between Hexylresorcinol and Resorcinol?
Hexylresorcinol (HR) shares many qualities with resorcinol, but has some notable differences.
HR passes through the skin’s cell membranes more efficiently than resorcinol.
HR diffuses better in liquids like the liquid inside our skin cells.
HR is less irritating to sensitive skin types than resorcinol.
Resorcinol has a EWG rating of 7 due to risk of skin allergy.
niacinamide
What are the differences between Hexylresorcinol and Niacinamide?
The main difference between the two compounds is that Niacinamide is a PAR-2 Blocker,
PAR-2 blockers do not prevent the production of melanin, they block the transfer of melanin filler melanocytes into keratinocyte skin cells.
Hexylresorcinol is a tyrosinase Inhibitor which prevent the formation of pigment.
Niacinamide is anti-inflammatory and helps increase cellular energy.
Both offer anti-aging and skin lightening benefits but via different pathways.
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Can you use Hexylresorcinol and Niacinamide together?
Niacinamide and hexylresorcinol can be mixed and used together.
The two ingredients compliment each other because they block different pathways in the skin pigmentation process.
Niacinamide is more gentle than hexylresorcinol for most skin types unless you have an allergy to it.
How many times a day should I use Hexylresorcinol?
Most skin care regimen use this ingredient two times per day, in the morning and night, however it depends upon your Baumann Skin Type.
Refer to Your Baumann Skin Type Regimen for instructions on frequency of use.
Products
There are a variety of products on the Skin Care market which include other similar Tyrosinase Inhibitors.
Here are some products from our website related to or containing Hexylresorcinol.
To get an exact skin care routine, shop by your skin type.
