Skin lighteners & hidden medicines
Deoxyarbutin
Banned in European Union and United Kingdom; its status in Nigeria is not confirmed.
Why it matters
It breaks down into hydroquinone, which UK advisers class as a suspected carcinogen and mutagen and a strong skin sensitiser.
What to look for on the label
Deoxyarbutin, dA.
Country by country
Around the worldBanned in European Union and United Kingdom; its status in Nigeria is not confirmed.
Why: It breaks down into hydroquinone, which UK advisers class as a suspected carcinogen and mutagen and a strong skin sensitiser.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | not confirmed |
| European Union | bannedAdded to Annex II by Reg (EU) 2021/1099 (entry 1657), per UK SAG-CS |
| United Kingdom | bannedAnnex II #1645 from 15 Dec 2022; sell-through ended 15 Mar 2023 (SI 2022/659) |
| United States | not confirmed |
| Canada | not confirmed |
Sources: UK SAG-CS opinion on deoxyarbutin (gov.uk) · UK SI 2022/659. Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
Is it in your product?
Paste the ingredient list, scan the barcode or read it from a photo. The check flags deoxyarbutin and anything else worth knowing.
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Education, not legal advice. Rules change: check with your country's regulator before relying on this.