Phloretin, a natural dihydrochalcone compound primarily derived from fruits such as apples and pears, has gained recognition in the skincare industry due to its potent antioxidant capacity. As one of the core ingredients of the well-known brand antioxidant essence, it is widely believed to be able to resist light damage and environmental pressure. However, a more challenging question arises: Is Phloretin really beneficial for rosacea?
Rosacea - A Complex Skin Inflammation Challenge
Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with diverse clinical manifestations, characterized by persistent erythema, telangiectasia, papules, and pustules in the central area of the face.[1] Therefore, an ideal intervention ingredient for rosacea should possess at least one or more of the abilities of anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, antioxidant, or improving vascular function.
How is the Biological Activity of Phloretin?
Phloretin, as a highly regarded flavonoid compound, has been confirmed to have biological activity in numerous basic studies. These studies provide a theoretical basis for evaluating its potential application in rosacea.
1. Excellent antioxidant capacity:
The most well-known characteristic of Phloretin is its strong antioxidant activity. It can effectively neutralize free radicals generated by factors such as ultraviolet radiation and environmental pollution, thereby reducing oxidative stress damage to skin cells. [5] In the famous SkinCeuticals' Philoretin CF essence, 2% of Philoretin, 10% of vitamin C, and 0.5% of ferulic acid work together to form a patented broad-spectrum antioxidant system, which can significantly improve the skin's ability to resist light damage.[4] Considering that oxidative stress can also exacerbate the inflammatory response of rosacea, Phloretin's antioxidant properties are theoretically beneficial for alleviating symptoms of rosacea.
2. Clear anti-inflammatory mechanism:
This is the strongest association between Phloretin and rosacea. Multiple in vitro studies have revealed that Phloretin has significant anti-inflammatory potential. A review titled 'The Molecular Pharmacology of Phloretin: Anti-Inflammatory Mechanisms of Action', published in the journal Biomedicines in 2023, systematically summarized its anti-inflammatory effects. More specific research suggests that Phloretin can exert its effects by inhibiting inflammatory signaling pathways. For example, studies have shown that Phloretin can inhibit Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and its downstream MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.[6] As mentioned earlier, excessive activation of the TLR2 pathway is precisely one of the key driving factors for the inflammatory response in rosacea.[7] By inhibiting this pathway, phloretin can theoretically directly intervene in the core inflammatory process of rosacea, reduce the production of inflammatory factors such as COX-2, and thus alleviate erythema and papules.
What are the Application Prospects and Practical Challenges of Phloretin?
Even if future research confirms the effectiveness of phloretin, its successful application in rosacea skincare products still faces many challenges.
Formula stability and irritability:
Phloretin exhibits poor stability in aqueous solutions, particularly in neutral or slightly alkaline environments, and is prone to oxidation and degradation. Research has shown that it is more stable in acidic environments with pH values below 3.5. This explains why commercial products containing phloretin, such as Phloretin CF, typically have a pH value between 2.0-3.5.[4] However, such a low pH value may be a huge irritant for patients with rosacea, whose skin barrier is already damaged and highly sensitive, easily causing intolerance reactions such as stinging and redness. How to develop a mild and low irritation formula while ensuring its activity is a major challenge for formulators.
For more details about Phloretin and Phlorizin, connect with Serrisha from APPCHEM. (Email: cwj@appchem.cn; +86-138-0919-0407)
Reference
[1]Research progress on the treatment of rosacea-related erythema and flushing with botulinum toxin. Zhang Jie [2025-08]
[2]Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the management of psoriasis. Narendra Pentu et al. [2024-01-03]
[3]Macrophages in rosacea: pathogenesis and therapeutic potential. Xiaolin Wang et al. [2025-07-31]
[4]PHLORETIN CF IS A POWERFUL ANTIOXIDANT FACE SERUM FEATURING A PATENTED COMBINATION OF 2% PHLORETIN, 10% PURE VITAMIN C (L-ASCORBIC ACID), AND 0.5% FERULIC ACID[2025-03-03]
[5]B. Rezk, G. Haenen et al. "The antioxidant activity of phloretin: the disclosure of a new antioxidant pharmacophore in flavonoids." Biochemical and biophysical research communications (2002). [2002-07-05]
[6]Phloretin attenuates inflammation induced by subarachnoid hemorrhage through regulation of the TLR2/MyD88/NF-kB pathway. Xudong Hao et al.