Alpha-Arbutin
Also known as AlphaArbutin
INCI: ALPHA-ARBUTIN
CAS 84380-01-8 EC 283-934-3
chemical compound
Limited Data
Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.
Details
Description
chemical compound
Purpose
Function
Tyrosinase inhibitor; synthetic alpha-enantiomer of arbutin; approximately 10x stronger tyrosinase inhibition than beta-arbutin at equivalent concentrations; reversible competitive inhibition at L-DOPA binding site
Profile
Properties
Silicone
Silicone free
Compliance
Regulatory Status
EU
Restricted
Safety
GOOD
US
Permitted
EU Max Concentration2% face / 0.5% body
Absorptionmoderate
Sensitizationnone
MoSadequate
NOAEL1000 mg/kg
ConcernLow
Flags
eu-annex-iii-2024-996alpha-arbutin-2pct-face-0.5pct-bodysccs-1550-15hq-release-concernuk-divergence-not-adoptedjapan-quasi-drug-whiteningkorea-functional-cosmetic-whitening10x-more-potent-than-beta
Verdict
EU 2024/996 Annex III: 2% face, 0.5% body. 10x more potent tyrosinase inhibitor than beta-arbutin per SCCS/1550/15. HQ release via enzymatic/acid/UV hydrolysis with HQ contamination limit <1 ppm. UK has NOT adopted 2024/996. Japan and Korea approved as whitening active. Synthetic origin via enzymatic transglycosylation. Brightening permitted globally; whitening classified as functional cosmetic in Asia.
US Note
No specific US limit. HQ not GRASE per 21 CFR 310.545.
Assessment
Ratings
Reference