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Arbutin

Controversial0 products
CAS
497-76-7
EC
2078503
PubChem CID
440936
Molecular Formula
C12H16O7
Molecular Weight
272.2500 g/mol

Plant-based spot remover. High-quantity use may lead to liver problems and carries a carcinogenic risk. EU limit in creams is 7%.

What does it do?

A plant-derived skin brightener and spot remover.

Details

A derivative of Alpha-Arbutin, also bearberry-sourced, used as a spot remover. It is thought that high quantities may have negative effects on the liver and carry a carcinogenic risk. The EU permits use up to 7% in face creams.

Hazards

None Specified

Benefits

Brightening

Functions

Active Ingredient

Restrictions

None Specified

Where is it found?

Face cream
Spot serum

Also known as

4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside

Function & Use

Skin Conditioning

Antioxidant

Bleaching

Regulatory note

  • EU 1223/2009 Annex IIIRestricted

    Maximum concentration: 7%

The verdict isn’t ours: below is what SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), Europe PMC (scientific literature) said, verbatim.

What The Sources Say

SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety)8
Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Opinion on beta-Arbutin

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: OPINION ON β-arbutin

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Opinion on the safety of alpha- (CAS No. 84380-018

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: EC No. 617-561-8) and beta-arbutin (CAS No. 497-76-7

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: EC No. 207-8503) in cosmetic products

+3 more records.

Europe PMC (scientific literature)1
General assessmentView source →

Cited by 21. After testing several chromatographic systems described in the literature, the optimal operating conditions were retained to develop a simple and rapid method grouping TLC and HPLC/UV for separation, identification and dosage of kojic acid (CAS RN 501-30-4) or arbutine (CAS RN 497-76-7) in skin-whitening cosmetic products. The screening is carried out by TLC on cellulose plate and by TLC on silica

Scientific References

  • EC No. 207-8503) in cosmetic productsSCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • EC No. 617-561-8) and beta-arbutin (CAS No. 497-76-7SCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DSSTox identifiers mapped to CAS (2021r1)US EPA, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure
  • EU CosIng — Cosmetic Ingredient Database full exportEuropean Commission, DG GROW
  • final version of 31 January 2023SCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • Identification and quantitative analysis of kojic acid and arbutine in skin-whitening cosmetics.International journal of cosmetic science
  • OPINION ON β-arbutinSCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • Opinion on beta-ArbutinSCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • Opinion on the safety of alpha- (CAS No. 84380-018SCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • preliminary version of 15-16 March 2022SCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
  • PubChem — CID-Synonym-filtered bulk + PUG REST propertiesNCBI / National Library of Medicine
  • SCCS/1642/22SCCS — Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety