Hexylresorcinol is a chemical compound with anaesthetic, antiseptic

Antiseptic

Antiseptics are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction...

 and antihelmintic properties.

It can be used topically on small skin infection

Skin infection

A skin infection is an infection of the skin. Infection of the skin is distinguished from dermatitis, which is inflammation of the skin, but a skin infection can result in skin inflammation...

s, or as an ingredient in throat lozenge

Throat lozenge

A throat lozenge, cough drop, troche, or cough sweet is a small, medicated tablet intended to be dissolved slowly in the mouth to temporarily stop coughs and lubricate and soothe irritated tissues of the throat , possibly from the common cold or influenza...

s.

An ingredient in Strepsils

Strepsils

Strepsils is a line of lozenges manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser in Nottingham, United Kingdom. They come in a variety of flavours and are part of the Boots Healthcare International brands that Reckitt Benckiser acquired in 2006...

 Extra (but not Strepsils Original) and, as a 0,1% solution, it is the active ingredient in S.T.37, Topical Antiseptic/Oral Pain Reliever.

A study published in Chemical Research in Toxicology in March 2009 shows that 4-hexylresorcinol used as a food additive (E-586) exhibits some estrogenic activity, i.e. resembles action of the female sex hormone estrogen

Estrogen

Estrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...

.