Fragrance avoidance
No fragrance-linked caution surfaced in the current profile.
This ingredient does not currently read as a fragrance-linked driver in the published evidence and hazard profile.
- beauty
- cleaning
- pharma
alpha-Arbutin
CAS 84380-01-8 · 70/100 · High conf.
Antioxidant · Bleaching agent · Softener and conditioner
Concern score
70/100High concern based on regulatory listings.
Well researched
Why it's flagged
4-Hydroxyphenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside is restricted in cosmetic products under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
RestrictedEU EC — restricted
The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.
Regulation
Restrictions first, then routine listings from published regulatory sources.
- commercial_presence
- consumer_product_presence
- cpdat_category:beauty|cleaning
- currently_marketed_ndc
- definition_level:complete
- definition_type:primary
- eu_annex:III
- eu_cosmetic_restricted
- View source →restricted
EUEC
Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down. Product types: (a) Face cream (b) Body lotion Maximum concentration: (a) 2 % (b) 0,5 % Other conditions: Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level. From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions…
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 21 composition records across product categories including Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Antioxidant, Softener and conditioner, Bleaching agent.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 21 composition records across product categories including Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Antioxidant, Softener and conditioner, Bleaching agent.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 5 active drug products and 5 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 5 active drug products and 5 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
Evidence
No graded sources yet for alpha-Arbutin. We publish evidence only once a source is linked and reviewed — this ingredient is in the catalog, but has not been assessed.
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Good fit
Where it appears
Prevalence of alpha-Arbutin in our catalog (epa_cpdat).
Products
21
Brands
6
Personal care
Typical roles
AntioxidantBleaching agentSoftener and conditioner
