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Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone
High concern
Hydroquinone has shown carcinogenic activity in animal studies and is associated with skin ochronosis with chronic use; FDA has proposed restricting OTC skin-lightening hydroquinone, and it is not permitted as a food additive.
Found in
1 products
What it is
Hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxybenzene), a phenolic compound used as a skin-lightening agent and antioxidant.
Not approved as a direct food additive; industrial antioxidant; restricted in cosmetics.
Why it's flagged
- carcinogenic potential (animal data)
- skin ochronosis
- not approved for food
What regulators actually say
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Regulatory status
United States — FDA
not approved as food additive; OTC cosmetic use restricted
European Union — EFSA
not approved as food additive; banned in EU cosmetics for general use
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