Phenolic Power: The Hidden Stars of Skin Care?

Phenolic compounds are like the secret agents of the skincare world. They have a wide range of abilities, from fighting off damage caused by the sun to reducing inflammation and even helping with uneven skin tone. These compounds are being studied a lot for their potential in cosmetics. They can protect the skin from the sun, fight off harmful molecules, reduce swelling, and even out skin tone. This makes them a great choice for products that fight aging caused by the sun. A recent look into the market showed that out of 1299 cosmetic items from 2021 to 2024, only a small number used phenolic compounds. These compounds were found in 13. 2% of anti-aging products, 5. 2% of sunscreens, and 4. 8% of after-sun products. This might seem low, but it's important to note that these compounds have a lot of potential. They can do many things at once, like fight off damage from the sun, reduce swelling, and even out skin tone. This makes them a great choice for products that fight aging caused by the sun. Some of the active phenolic compounds found in these products include bakuchiol and polyphenols like resveratrol, chrysin, and hesperidin methyl chalcone. These were mostly in anti-aging products. Sunscreens and after-sun products, on the other hand, had ferulic and caffeic acids, and salicylic acid, respectively. These compounds work by getting rid of harmful molecules, which helps to reduce damage from oxidative stress. Some of them, like ferulic and caffeic acids, chrysin, and glucosylrutin, can even absorb UV radiation. This means they can help prevent damage from the sun before it even happens. So, why aren't we seeing more of these compounds in our skincare products? There might be some barriers to their wider use. Maybe it's because they're not as well-known as other ingredients, or maybe it's because they're harder to work with. But one thing is for sure: phenolic compounds have a lot of potential in the world of skincare. They can do many things at once, and they can help protect the skin from damage. It's time we give these hidden stars the attention they deserve.