April 20, 2015
The European Commission (EC) has consulted the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) regarding the safe use of the following cosmetic ingredients:
- Tetrahydropyranyloxy Phenol (deoxyarbutin), in a concentration up to 3% in face creams
- 4-Hydroxyphenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (α-arbutin), in a concentration up to 2% in face creams and up to 0.5 % in body lotions
- 4-hydroxy-phenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (β-arbutin), in a concentration up to 7% in face creams
The aforementioned substances have been associated with the release or formation of hydroquinone, a substance that is banned under the EU cosmetics Regulation but has exceptions for professional use.