Cosmetic Garde Hydroquinone Powder
Products Description
Hydroquinone is a topical skin-bleaching agent used in the cosmetic treatment of hyperpigmented skin conditions. The effect of skin lightening caused by hydroquinone is reversible when exposed to sunlight and therefore requires regular use until desired results are achieved. Various preparations are available including creams, emulsions, gels, lotions and solutions.
BASIC ANALYSIS
| Item of Analysis | Specification | Results | Test Methods |
| Assay | 99% | 99.2% | HPLC |
| Organoleptic | |||
| Appearance | Powder | Conforms | Organoleptic |
| Color | White acicular crystal or crystal powder | Conforms | Organoleptic |
| Physical Characteristics | |||
| Loss on drying | 1%NMT (%) | 0.04% | USP<731> |
| Total ash | 1%NMT (%) | 0.08% | USP<561> |
| Melting point | 171~175°C | 171.0~173.0°C | CP2010IA |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤0.002% | 0.0018% | NLS-QCS-1007 |
| Heavy metals | |||
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤0.002% | ≤0.002% | USP<231>method II |
| Residue after ignition | ≤0.100% | 0.087% | ICP-MS |
| Microbiological Tests | |||
| Total Plate Count | 1000cfu/g Max | 450cfu/g | USP<61> |
| Yeast & Mold | 100cfu/g Max | 10cfu/g | USP<61> |
| E. Coli. | Negative | Conform | USP<61> |
| Salmonella | Negative | Conform | USP<61> |
| Staphylococcus | Negative | Conform | USP<61> |
Function
- Whitening effect
Mechanism of action: Hydroquinone mainly plays a whitening effect by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the process of melanin synthesis, which converts tyrosine to dopamine and then oxidizes to melanin. Hydroquinone can bind with the copper ion of tyrosinase, change the structure of the active center of the enzyme, thus inhibiting the catalytic action of tyrosinase and reducing the production of melanin.
Whitening effect comparison: Compared with other whitening ingredients (such as vitamin C and its derivatives), hydroquinone has a stronger whitening effect. Vitamin C works primarily by reducing melanin that has already been formed, while hydroquinone focuses on inhibiting the source of melanin production.
- Antioxidation
Antioxidant principle: Hydroquinone can provide hydrogen atoms, which can remove free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are one of the important factors in skin aging and pigmentation, attacking biomolecules in skin cells such as lipids, proteins and DNA.
Hydroquinone can react with free radicals to interrupt the free radical chain reaction and protect skin cells from oxidative damage.
Safety profile
- Irritant: Hydroquinone may cause some irritation to the skin. In the case of high concentrations or long-term use, it may lead to adverse reactions such as skin redness, itching, and stinging. Especially for people with sensitive skin, this irritation may be more obvious.
- Toxicity: Hydroquinone may be toxic in certain doses. If the body absorbs hydroquinone in excess, it may cause damage to organs such as the liver and kidney. For example, long-term, large-scale use of high-concentration hydroquinone products may cause the accumulation of hydroquinone in the body to exceed the safe limit.
- Regulatory restrictions: Due to its potential risks, different countries and regions have strict regulatory restrictions on its use in cosmetics. In the European Union, for example, the use of hydroquinone in cosmetics is banned; In the United States, hydroquinone can be used in over-the-counter whitening products, but the concentration is strictly limited, generally not more than 2%.
