Ingredients question
isitbannedintheuk.co.uk · Answer card
Not in Great Britain, yet. Restricted in Northern Ireland. Neither appears on the GB banned or restricted lists. In Northern Ireland, alpha-arbutin is limited to 2% in face cream and 0.5% in body lotion, and arbutin to 7% in face cream only.
England, Wales, Scotland
No specific ruleNeither alpha-arbutin nor arbutin appears on the GB banned or restricted lists (Annexes II and III, checked 2 November 2026). The general safety rule still applies. The government's product safety office (OPSS) has asked for scientific evidence on both, because they can break down into hydroquinone.
Follows EU cosmetics rules
RestrictedAlpha-arbutin: up to 2% in face cream and 0.5% in body lotion. Arbutin: up to 7%, in face cream only. In both cases hydroquinone must be kept to an unavoidable trace.
| Where | Rule starts | Old stock: placed on the market | Old stock: last date to be sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Britain | No specific rule | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Northern Ireland | 1 February 2025 | Not allowed from 1 February 2025 | Not allowed from 1 November 2025 |
The Northern Ireland transition has ended, so products over the limits shouldn't be on sale there.
Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level.
This page is about legal status only. A product being allowed doesn't mean it's right for your skin, and a product being banned doesn't tell you how risky an old bottle at home is. If you're worried about a reaction, speak to a pharmacist or GP.
isitbannedintheuk.co.uk/rules/alpha-arbutin/ · Last checked 2 November 2026
General information from official sources, checked on the date shown. Not legal or medical advice. © The Contract Studio UK Ltd
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