Ingredient profile
HYDROQUINONE 2.0
Raters disagreeCAS 123-31-9
At least one of our safety lists speaks to this ingredient.
Raters don't agree. Here's where each one stands
Safe
—
Caution
Health Canada Ingredient Hotlist
Government
EU Harmonised Classification (CLP Annex VI)
Government
Concern
Greenlens Ingredient Scan
Independent
Greenlens Precautionary Screen
Independent
Greenlens Tolerance Screen
Independent
Where each list lands
Funding shown- Concern
Greenlens Ingredient Scan
Independent
Banned in leave-on cosmetics in the EU (skin-lightening); permitted only in some nail products. (EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited))
- Concern
Greenlens Precautionary Screen
Independent
A skin-lightening agent classified a suspected carcinogen and mutagen; EU-banned in leave-on cosmetics. (EU CLP Annex VI (CMR classification) (Carc 2 / Muta 2); ChemSec SIN List (Substitute It Now))
- Concern
Also screened — not on these lists
- California Proposition 65
- US NTP Report on Carcinogens
- IARC Monographs
- ANSES Endocrine Disruptors
- EU Microplastics Restriction
Where regulators stand
Shown side by side, never combinedEach jurisdiction is reported on its own terms, from its own official lists. Where they disagree, that disagreement is the finding. Absence from a list is never a safety claim.
European Union
BannedProhibited as a cosmetic ingredient in this jurisdiction.
- European Commission · EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited)Banned in leave-on cosmetics in the EU (skin-lightening); permitted only in some nail products.
- ECHA (EU CLP Regulation) · EU CLP Regulation Annex VI, Table 3 (harmonised classification, ECHA export): Carc. 2, Muta. 2, Skin Sens. 1Carries an EU harmonised classification (Carc. 2, Muta. 2, Skin Sens. 1) — a suspected (category 2) carcinogen, mutagen or reproductive toxicant under CLP Annex VI, index 604-005-00-4. A hazard classification, not proof of harm at the level used.
Canada
RestrictedAllowed only under stated conditions or limits.
Notes
- Carcinogen-linked
- EU-prohibited
- EU harmonised CMR (cat. 2)
- Health Canada Hotlist — restricted
