What is the NOAEL for Kojic acid?
Kojic acid has 100 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 0.03 % via oral in rat. Source: UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies.
NOAEL Data
IARC Group 3
Cosmetic Ingredient
Kojic acid
Also known as: 5-18-02-00516, BRN 0120895, EINECS 207-922-4, 5-Hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyrone, UNII-6K23F1TT52 (+2 more)
CAS 501-30-4
Kojic acid (CAS 501-30-4) is a chemical substance; key hazard signal: IARC Group 3. Key regulatory status: 2 regulatory/inventory lists, cosmetic ingredient cross-reference; source data from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, SCCS, IARC.
SOURCE
noael studies public
NOAEL studies
100
SOURCE
chemical inventory jurisdictions
Regulatory lists
2
SOURCE
eu clp annex vi
GHS signal
Not classified
Chemical Identity
CAS, identifiers, formula, and alternate names for the matched substance record.
SOURCE
DSSTox identifiers
13 fields
Name
Kojic acid
CAS Number
501-30-4
DTXSID
DTXSID2040236
Molecular Formula
C6H6O4
InChI Key
BEJNERDRQOWKJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Monoisotopic Mass
142.026609
Synonyms
5-18-02-00516BRN 0120895EINECS 207-922-45-Hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4-pyroneUNII-6K23F1TT52Kojisaeureacido kojico
IARC Carcinogen Classification
Carcinogenic hazard classification from IARC monograph evaluations.
SOURCE
IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans
1 records
| Group | Meaning | Evaluated | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group 3 | Not classifiable | 2000 | 79 |
Functional Uses
Industrial and product-use categories associated with this substance.
SOURCE
EPA CPDat
2 records
Antioxidant
Regulatory Lists
Inventory, screening, and regulatory list matches from public chemical databases.
SOURCE
EPA CPDat
2 records
| List | Keyword | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Canada; Personal care; Substances in PCP - Canada (4/2014) | Government of Canada | CPCat |
| Canada; pharmaceutical | DrugBank | DrugBank |
NOAEL Studies
Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.
SOURCE
NOAEL studies
Showing 50 of 100 studies
| Value | Unit | Endpoint | Route | Species | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.03 | % | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 0.03 | % | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 0.03 | % | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 0.5 | % | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 1 | % | - | - | guinea pig | UnifiedCodex:CIR:beta.noael_studies |
| 2 | % | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 2 | - | - | - | - | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 2 | - | - | - | - | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 2 | - | - | - | - | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 2 | % | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 5.85 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 5.85 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6 | mg/kg bw | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | - | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 15 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 15 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 15.5 | mg/kg bw | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 23.8 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 23.8 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 23.8 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 40 | - | - | - | - | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 62.5 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 62.5 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 68 | - | - | - | - | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg bw | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg bw | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg bw | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 100 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 125 | mg/kg | - | dermal | rat | UnifiedCodex:CIR:beta.noael_studies |
| 125 | mg/kg bw/day | - | dermal | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 150 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | mouse | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 150 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | mouse | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 150 | mg/kg bw/day | - | - | mouse | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 227 | mg/kg bw/day | - | oral | rat | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 1637 | - | - | - | human | UnifiedCodex:SCCS_SHADOW:beta.noael_studies |
| 6K23F1TT52 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 6K23F1TT52 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 6K23F1TT52 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 6K23F1TT52 | UNII | FDA UNII substance identifier | - | - | openFDA substances |
| 3 | IARC group | IARC carcinogenicity classification | - | - | IARC Monographs |
| 3 | unitless | IARC group | - | - | NTP_ICE_cancer |
Showing 50 of 100 studies
SCCS Opinions
EU Scientific Committee opinions tied to the matched substance.
SOURCE
EU SCCS
3 opinions
| Opinion | Date | Conclusion | Max Conc. | Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCCS/1637/21 | 15-16 March 2022 | safe with restrictions | 1% as skin lightening agent in leave-on creams | Endocrine disrupting properties (potential thyroid effects); 1% in leave-on products safe; not to exceed 0.04% combined use in multiple cosmetics |
| SCCS/1481/12 | 26-27 June 2012 | safe with restrictions | 1% in leave-on creams (face/hands) | Potential endocrine effects; skin sensitisation potential; concerns about thyroid effects - subject to revision (see SCCS/1637/21) |
| SCCP/1171/08 | 30 September 2008 | safe with restrictions | 1% in leave-on products | Skin lightening; sensitisation potential; thyroid effects questioned; see updated opinion SCCS/1637/21 |
Cosmetic Safety Profile
Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.
SOURCE
CosIng / Ingredients DB
EU Status
restricted
Max
1%
Category
active
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.
SOURCE
EMBL-EBI ChEMBL
KOJIC ACID
ChEMBL Phase
Not listed
Adverse Events
0
Bioactivity
15
Frequently Asked Questions
What regulatory lists include Kojic acid?
Kojic acid appears on 2 regulatory/inventory lists including Canada; Personal care; Substances in PCP - Canada (4/2014), Canada; pharmaceutical. Source: EPA CPDat.
Is Kojic acid a carcinogen according to IARC?
Kojic acid is classified by IARC as Group 3 — not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (evaluated 2000). Source: IARC Monographs on the Identification of Carcinogenic Hazards to Humans.
Is Kojic acid used in cosmetics?
Yes, Kojic acid is also indexed as a cosmetic ingredient under the name Kojic Acid. View the full cosmetic safety profile on the ingredient page for detailed safety data, SCCS opinions, and regulatory status.
Where does the safety data for Kojic acid come from?
Safety data is sourced from EPA ToxValDB, EPA CPDat, EPA DSSTox, IARC Monographs, CosIng / Ingredients DB, ChEMBL / DailyMed. All data traces to primary regulatory sources and is updated from official government databases.
Is Kojic acid used outside industrial chemicals?
Kojic acid also appears in cosmetics, pharmaceutical databases.