1. Honokiol Overview
Honokiol is a polyphenol compound. It naturally exists in dry bark and root of magnolia officinalis. Honokiol and its isomer Magnolol both are present in Chinese medicine magnolia officinalis. It not only has a variety of pharmacological activities, but also has good bioactivities for skin care. Honokiol can improve immune ability of skin cells, and has anti-inflammatory effect. Also Honokiol has a broad antibacterial spectrum. It can resist acid bacteria, and also exhibit inhibitory effect on gram-negative bacteria. Thus Honokiol can be used in prevention and treatment of acne. In addition, Honokiol plays an important role in anti-caries and inhibiting tooth decay in oral hygiene products. Honokiol is found to have activity as an antioxidant and skin whitening agent. At present, as a new natural cosmetic raw material, Honokiol is widely applied in anti-acne, whitening and anti-oxidation skin care products.
| Product Name | CAS Number | INCI Name | |
| Honokiol | 35354-74-6 | HONOKIOL | |
| Molecular Formula | Molecular Weight | Molecular Structure | |
| C18H18O2 | 266.33g/mol |  |
|
| Product ID | Specificcation | Minimal Package | Minimal Order Quantity |
| PMQD0201 | 98% | 1KG | 1KG |
2. Honokiol Source
Magnolia officinalis (Latin name: Magnolia officinalis Rehd. Et Wils.) is a deciduous tree of the genus Magnolia. In summer, it grows white flowers with fragrant scent. It is mainly distributed in the warm, moist and fertile mountain slopes at an altitude of 300-1500m. Magnolia officinalis can be found in Yangtze river basin of China, and also in Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. It is a rare and endangered species in China. Chinese medicine magnolia officinalis refers to its dry bark and root. Magnolia officinalis, as a kind of traditional and aromatic Chinese medicine, has great pharmacological effect. In recent years, there are increasing studies on magnolia at home and abroad. The application of magnolia extract (mainly known as Magnolol and Honokiol) with new effects has been continuously explored in cosmetics field.
3. Honokiol Manufacturer Specifications
| Product Name | Specification |
| Honokiol | 98% HPLC |
| Items | Specification | |
| Assay | ≥98.00% | |
| Color | White fine powder | |
| Odor | Characteristic | |
| Taste | Characteristic | |
| Extract Solvent | Water & ethanol | |
| Part used | Bark | |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Particle Size | 98% through 80 mesh | |
| Moisture | ≤1.00% | |
| Ash content | ≤1.00% | |
| Bulk density | 50-60g/100ml | |
| Solvent Residue | Eur. Pharm | |
| Heavy Metals | ||
| Heavy metals | ≤10ppm | |
| Arsenic | ≤2ppm | |
| Plumbum | ≤2ppm | |
| Microbiological Tests | ||
| Total Plate count | ≤1000cfu/g | |
| Yeast & mold | ≤100cfu/g | |
| Escherichia coli | Negative | |
| Staphylococcus | Negative | |
| Salmonella | Negative | |
Honokiol Chromatogram
4. Honokiol Manufacturer Flow Chart
5. Honokiol Benefits
- Anti-bacterial
Honokiol has a broad anti-bacterial spectrum. Its antibacterial property is stable, and it’s not easy to be damaged by heat, acid, alkali. Some scholars have found that Honokiol has a strong inhibitory effect on streptococcus mutans. The result shows that it has good antibacterial effect on staphylococcus aureus; and its MIC is 6.25μg/mL. Therefore, Honokiol can be added into cosmetics to treat acne, and can also be used as a natural preservative of cosmetics.
- Anti-acne and anti-inflammation
Honokiol has strong inhibitory effect on P.acnes and P.granulosum that can lead to acne. The MIC is 9mg/L. Furthermore, it can effectively reduce the increase of THP-1cell, IL-8 and TNF-αcaused by P.acnes. So it proves that Honokiol can treat local skin inflammation.
- Anti-aging and whitening
Study has shown that Honokiol can enhance activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GSH2Px in serum and tissues of mice; and it can lower the content of MDA, a lipid peroxide in the body. Under the action of Honokiol, antioxidant capacity of human body has been improved. And excessive free radicals produced by aging body can be quickly eliminated. Thereby, further chain reaction of oxygen free radical is blocked, and per-oxidation process of tissues and cells is inhibited. Thus Honokiol can exert its anti-aging effect. Moreover, the scavenging capacity of Honokiol on free radicals is stronger than that of classic antioxidant ascorbic acid. And Honokiol can also inhibit tyrosinase activity; so it has certain whitening function, and can be used in cosmetics as skin whitening agent.
6. Pharmacological studies of Honokiol and cosmetics
| Test Item | Concentration | Result |
| Elimination to hydroxyl radicals | 0.2mmol/L | Elimination rate: 82.5% |
| Elimination to free radical DPPH | 50μmol/L | Elimination rate: 23.6% |
| Inhibition to unsaturated fatty acid peroxidation | 0.2mmol/L | Inhibition rate: 85.8% |
| Inhibition to tyrosinase activity | 0.01% | Inhibition rate: 38.8% |
| Inhibition to NF-kB cell activity | 20μmol/L | Inhibition rate: 20.4% |
| Inhibition to metalloproteinase MMP-1 activity | 10μmol/L | Inhibition rate: 18.2% |
7. Plamed Honokiol Characteristic
- Plamed owns mangnolia officinalis planting base, which can assure to supply Honokiol stably.
- Plamed Honokiol’s solvent residue is lower compared to other factories. And it is less irritation to skin.
8. Honokiol Application
Honokiol is widely used in cosmetics and other daily chemicals:
- Dental products (toothpaste, mouth wash) for prevention of gingivitis; recommended dosage is 0.3%. As a natural preservative in cosmetics.
- Anti-pimple and anti-acne facial essence, lotion, cream, etc;
- As anti-aging and whitening agent in sunscreen, cleanser, mask and other skin care products.
Honokiol application cases in major cosmetic brands in the world:
| Country | Brand | Product |
| Switzerland | L‘ADMIRER | Beauty Plus Defensil Concentrate |
| SURPUR | Radiant Day Cream | |
| Thailand | VLanse | Milk Bath Cream
Q10 Skin Refining and Whitening Scrub Q10 Facial Foam |
| German | NIVEA | Cell Ular Anti-Age Eye Cream |
| France | Sa[è]ve | Firming and Repairing Essence
Moisturizing Emulsion Moisturizing Day Cream Firming and Repairing Night Cream |
| UAS | Richme | Day Facial Cream |
| Estee Lauder | Re-nutriv Ultimate Diamond Transformative Energy Eye Cream |
9. Honokiol Reference Formula
Natural plant moisturizing toner
| Ingredient | Content(%) | Ingredient | Content(%) |
| Honokiol | 5 | Corn Propylene Glycol | 8 |
| Glycerin | 8 | Dioscorease Rhizome Extract | 5 |
| Sodium Hyaluronate | 0.06 | Fructus Momordicae Extract | 5 |
| Water | Add to 100 | Chinese Angelica Extract | 5 |
| Indian Buead Extract | 5 | Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract | 5 |
10. Honokiol Safety
- Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CTFA) has specified Honokiol as a cosmetics ingredient.
- Honokiol is listed on The International Catalogue of Chinese Cosmetic Raw Materials Standards in 2010 issued by CAFFCI and On the Announcement of Name List of Cosmetics Raw Material published by CFDA in 2014. No reports show its insecurity.
11. Packing and Storage
Package: Packed in 25kg paper drums with two plastic bags inside.
Storage: Stored in a cool dry place and away from direct sunlight and oxidizing agents.
12. Related Reading
1. Honokiol VS. Magnolol for Skin Benefits
Plamed focuses on natural cosmetic ingredients for more than 10 years. We have founded four subsidiary companies, which respectively develops different kinds of cosmetic raw material. Plamed is a company whose CEO is designated as the first secretary general of Shaanxi Plant Extraction Association.
As a professional Honokiol manufacturer, Plamed have been constantly upgrading the production process. We firmly believe that good Honokiol and good Honokiol price will help customers make good terminal products and help customers win a lasting and broad market.
