Phenylethyl Resorcinol

* A whitening agent

* Also known as SymWhite 377

Functions:

Phenylethyl Resorcinol is also known as SymWhite 377 and was developed by Symrise researchers to serve as a lightening and brightening ingredient in skin care products, hair lightening products, and cosmetics. It is an antioxidant that is considered effective in influencing the formation of pigmentation, and therefore able to lighten the skin, according to research. It is a synthetic compound that is partially derived from natural lightening compounds found in scotch pine bark, and is considered a reliable whitening agent.

According to studies published by Symrise (no independent studies were found), when directly compared to B-Arbutin, SymWhite 377 (Phenylethyl Resorcinol) was shown to be over one hundred times as effective at lightening hair, and when tested in vivo on skin that had not been exposed to light, 0.5% concentrations of SymWhite 377 proved to be more effective than 1.0% kojic acid.

Safety Measures/Side Effects:

Very little information was found on SymWhite 377 or Phenylethyl Resorcinol that wasn't published by Symrise. According to reviews and Kinerase, which uses it as an active ingredient in its Brightening Anti-Aging System, SymWhite 377 is thought to be effective without being harsh and non-irritating with extremely low cytotoxicity.