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.

View cosmetic safety profile for Kojic Acid →

SOURCE NOAEL studies
NOAEL studies
45
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 12 fields
Name
Kojic acid
CAS Number
501-30-4
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
GroupMeaningEvaluatedVolume
Group 3Not classifiable200079

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
ListKeywordSource
Canada; Personal care; Substances in PCP - Canada (4/2014)Government of CanadaCPCat
Canada; pharmaceuticalDrugBankDrugBank

NOAEL Studies

Toxicology endpoints rendered from public NOAEL study rows.

SOURCE NOAEL studies Showing 45 of 45 studies
ValueUnitEndpointRouteSpeciesSource
0.03%-oralratRegulatory source
0.03%--ratRegulatory source
0.5%-oralratRegulatory source
1%--guinea pigRegulatory source
2%-oralratRegulatory source
2----Regulatory source
5.85mg/kg bw/day-oralratRegulatory source
6mg/kg bw/day-oralratRegulatory source
6mg/kg bw-oralratRegulatory source
6mg/kg bw/day---Regulatory source
15mg/kg bw/day--ratRegulatory source
15.5mg/kg bw-oralratRegulatory source
23.8mg/kg bw/day-oralratRegulatory source
40----Regulatory source
62.5mg/kg bw/day--ratRegulatory source
62.5mg/kg bw/day-oralratRegulatory source
68----Regulatory source
100mg/kg/day-oralratRegulatory source
100mg/kg bw/day--ratRegulatory source
100mg/kg bw-oralratRegulatory source
100mg/kg bw--ratRegulatory source
125mg/kg-dermalratRegulatory source
125mg/kg bw/day-dermalratRegulatory source
150mg/kg bw/day--mouseRegulatory source
150mg/kg bw/day-oralmouseRegulatory source
227mg/kg bw/day-oralratRegulatory source
1637---humanRegulatory source
6K23F1TT52UNIIFDA UNII substance identifier--openFDA substances
3IARC groupIARC carcinogenicity classification--IARC Monographs
3unitlessIARC group--NTP ICE cancer
5.85mg/kg bw/dayLOAELoralratCOSMOS DB
=0.003%NOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.03%NOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.069mg/kgNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.079mg/kgNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.104mg/kgNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.12mg/kgNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.173mg/kgNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.199mg/kgNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=0.5%NOAELoralratCIR Safety Assessment
=0.5%NOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=1%NOAEL-guinea pigCIR Safety Assessment
=2mg/kg bw/dNOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=2%NOAELoralratSCCS Opinion
=2-NOAEL--SCCS Opinion

Showing 45 of 45 studies

SCCS Opinions

EU Scientific Committee opinions tied to the matched substance.

SOURCE SCCS Opinion 4 opinions
OpinionDateConclusionMax Conc.Concerns
SCCS/1637/2115-16 March 2022safe with restrictions1% as skin lightening agent in leave-on creamsEndocrine disrupting properties (potential thyroid effects); 1% in leave-on products safe; not to exceed 0.04% combined use in multiple cosmetics
SCCS/1481/1226-27 June 2012safe with restrictions1% in leave-on creams (face/hands)Potential endocrine effects; skin sensitisation potential; concerns about thyroid effects - subject to revision (see SCCS/1637/21)
SCCP/1171/0830 September 2008safe with restrictions1% in leave-on productsSkin lightening; sensitisation potential; thyroid effects questioned; see updated opinion SCCS/1637/21
SCCP/1182/0830 September 2008Based on the information provided, margins of safety of respectively 35 (face and hands), 58 (hands) and 88 (face) have been calculated suggesting that the use of Kojic acid at a maximum concentration of 1.0% in skin care formulations poses a risk to the health of the consumer.1.0%Margins of safety of 35 (face and hands), 58 (hands), 88 (face) — use at 1.0% poses a risk to consumer health; other parts of skin might also be exposed. Kojic acid has the potential to induce skin sensitisation. Mixed in vitro mutagenicity (positive in bacteria, some clastogenicity in vitro) though negative in vivo. Slightly photoirritant. Relevant kinetics data may refine the MoS approach.

Cosmetic Safety Profile

Same-CAS cosmetic ingredient record for cross-vertical context.

SOURCE CosIng / Ingredients DB
EU Status
restricted
Max
1%
Category
active
View full cosmetic safety profile →

Pharmaceutical Data

Same-CAS pharmaceutical records from drug and bioactivity sources.

SOURCE ChEMBL / DailyMed KOJIC ACID
ChEMBL Phase
Not listed
Adverse Events
0
Bioactivity
15
View full pharmaceutical profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NOAEL for Kojic acid?

Kojic acid has 45 NOAEL studies in the database. The lowest reported value is 0.003 % via oral in rat. Source: SCCS Opinion.

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.