Hydroquinone
Decode Label flags Hydroquinone as a moderate concern in cosmetics and personal care (carcinogen). It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.
The concern
Skin lightener — banned in EU cosmetics; potential carcinogen
Hydroquinone is banned in cosmetics in the EU, South Africa, and Japan due to concerns about carcinogenicity and ochronosis (permanent skin darkening with prolonged use). In India it is restricted to prescription use only. Products claiming to lighten skin should not contain hydroquinone without medical supervision.
Most relevant to
Not found in this catalogue
0 of 893 published products Decode Label has analysed list Hydroquinone or any of its label synonyms. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole. If a product we score lists it, it will appear here and its score will reflect it.
Regulatory position
From the published regulation itself. Each row links to its source.
Identity
- Canonical name
- 1,4-Dihydroxybenzene (Hydroquinone), with the exception of entry 14 in Annex III
- INCI name
- HYDROQUINONE
- CAS number
- 123-31-9
- EC number
- 204-617-8
Also appears on labels as
Questions
Is Hydroquinone safe?
The EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 prohibits Hydroquinone in cosmetics (Annex II, entry 1339). Why it is flagged: Skin lightener — banned in EU cosmetics; potential carcinogen. Decode Label treats it as a moderate concern in cosmetics and personal care. It was not found in any of the 893 published products we have analysed.
How common is Hydroquinone in Indian packaged products?
Decode Label has not found Hydroquinone in any of the 893 published products analysed so far. That describes this catalogue, not the Indian market as a whole.
Is Hydroquinone restricted or banned anywhere?
Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (CosIng), Hydroquinone has 1 prohibited entry, 1 restricted entry. Each is shown with its annex reference and a link to the source in the Regulatory position table.
Who should be most careful with Hydroquinone?
People who are pregnant; Anyone using this regularly.
Related ingredients
Other entries in the register with the same kind of concern.
Method and limits
- Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 893 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
- Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
- A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
- Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 28 September 2026.
- Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.