Hydroquinone in cosmetics: why it's flagged
Short answer
Hydroquinone is flagged by Olive Detective as a moderate concern in cosmetics. Skin-lightening agent; ochronosis risk (OTC banned in US/EU); ~35% systemic absorption. The flag is class-level and precautionary, based on FDA 2020 ban; EU Annex II — it describes the ingredient class, not the safety of any particular product.
What the concern is
- Irritant — can irritate skin, eyes or the respiratory tract.
- other — flagged for review.
How it appears on an INCI list
Cosmetic labels use INCI names, which are standardised worldwide, so the same wording appears on a product bought anywhere. This class is matched on hydroquinone.
Pregnancy
This ingredient carries a avoid flag in the app’s pregnancy-safe mode. With that mode on, a product containing it shows a warning banner and its personalised score is hard-capped. This is precautionary guidance drawn from regulatory positions, not medical advice — a midwife or doctor is the right person to ask about your own routine.
How it affects the score
Cosmetic scoring follows the Yuka method: a product with only green and yellow ingredients has its score floored at 50, any orange ingredient caps it below 50, and any red caps it below 25. This ingredient is orange, so it caps a product's score below 50 on its own.
Source: FDA 2020 ban; EU Annex II
Other cosmetic ingredients we flag
Keep reading
Start eating cleaner today.
Your next grocery run is the perfect time to try it. Scan a few things — free for 7 days.
7-day free trial · cancel anytime.