Type: Ingredient entity — regulatory & claim record
Topic: Arbutin (알부틴) — cosmetic functional ingredient (whitening)
Evidence basis: MFDS 기능성화장품 심사에 관한 규정 (Notice No. 2025-88), KCIA ingredient list (no.1880), PubChem (CAS 497-76-7)
Last Verified: 2026-05-23
This page does not make treatment, disease prevention, or efficacy claims. See the Evidence Boundaries section below for what this page does and does not assert.
What Is Arbutin in the Context of Korean Cosmetics?
Arbutin (알부틴) is a naturally derived compound found in plants such as bearberry, and it is one of the most widely recognized whitening ingredients in Korean cosmetics. In South Korea, arbutin holds a well-established regulatory position: it is listed as a notified (고시형) functional cosmetic ingredient for skin whitening (미백) under the MFDS functional cosmetic framework. Products formulated with arbutin at the specified concentration can, after completing the required MFDS reporting or review process, carry a skin whitening functional claim.
A key distinction worth noting is the difference between arbutin and alpha-arbutin. Standard arbutin (beta-arbutin, CAS 497-76-7) is the form explicitly listed in MFDS Notice 2025-88 Appendix 4. Alpha-arbutin is a separate stereoisomer that may appear on ingredient lists and in cosmetic formulations, but its independent regulatory record under the same appendix has not been directly confirmed in this entry. This distinction matters for regulatory claim purposes and is flagged in the notes below.
This page records the regulatory status, permitted claim scope, and claim boundaries for arbutin as a cosmetic ingredient in Korea. It does not endorse specific products or guarantee individual results.
Ingredient Snapshot
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Ingredient Name | Arbutin |
| Korean Name | 알부틴 |
| INCI Name | ARBUTIN |
| Synonyms | Beta-Arbutin; Hydroquinone beta-D-glucopyranoside; 4-Hydroxyphenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside |
| CAS No. | 497-76-7 |
| Ingredient Type | Cosmetic functional ingredient (기능성화장품 고시형 원료) |
| Cosmetic Role | Skin whitening / brightening (미백); skin conditioning |
| Supplement Function | Not applicable in this context (cosmetic scope only) |
| Status | To Review |
Note: Alpha-arbutin (a stereoisomer of arbutin) is a distinct ingredient. Its independent listing under MFDS Appendix 4 or Appendix 2 has not been directly confirmed in this record. Do not treat arbutin and alpha-arbutin as interchangeable for regulatory purposes.
Regulatory Records
| Record Type | Jurisdiction | Issuing Body | Record Number | Scope | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 기능성화장품 고시형 원료 | Republic of Korea | MFDS (식품의약품안전처) | 식품의약품안전처고시 제2025-88호 | Skin whitening (미백); 2–5% concentration; specified dosage forms only | Active | 기능성화장품 심사에 관한 규정 별표 4 (S-NEW-01) |
Record review status: To Review. Direct verification of original document completed (별표 4, MFDS PDF). The hydroquinone content limit (1 ppm criterion) is a regulatory safety parameter, not a consumer-facing claim. Alpha-arbutin regulatory status under the same appendix requires separate verification.
Claim Safety Matrix
| Claim Text | Claim Type | Why It Matters | Safer Alternative Wording | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and brighten skin tone (피부의 미백에 도움을 준다) | Allowed | This is the MFDS-notified functional claim expression for arbutin at 2–5% in qualifying product forms. Applicable only when the product has completed the MFDS functional cosmetic reporting or review process. | 피부의 미백에 도움을 줄 수 있음 (within MFDS-approved functional cosmetic scope) | MFDS 고시 제2025-88호 별표 4 |
| Arbutin treats hyperpigmentation / cures melasma | Prohibited | Hyperpigmentation disorders and melasma are medical conditions. Cosmetics in Korea may not claim to treat or cure skin disorders. The MFDS-permitted scope is limited to the cosmetic appearance of skin tone. | Omit. Use only the MFDS-approved whitening wording. | 화장품법 제2조, 식품의약품안전처고시 제2025-88호 |
| Equivalent to hydroquinone / works like hydroquinone | Prohibited | Hydroquinone at cosmetically effective concentrations is a prescription-only substance in Korea. Implying equivalence to hydroquinone would mislead consumers about product category and regulatory status. | Omit entirely. Arbutin and hydroquinone are governed by separate regulatory frameworks. | 화장품법 제2조; 의약품 관련 법령 |
| Alpha-arbutin has the same approved status as arbutin | Avoid | Arbutin (beta-arbutin) and alpha-arbutin are distinct ingredients. Alpha-arbutin’s independent listing under MFDS Appendix 4 functional cosmetic status has not been directly confirmed in this record. Treating them as equivalent for regulatory claim purposes carries risk. | Refer to alpha-arbutin under its own regulatory record. Do not conflate with arbutin (beta) claims without separate verification. | 기능성화장품 심사에 관한 규정 제2025-88호 별표 4 확인 결과 |
Claim review status: To Review. Claim Type for “Allowed” row reflects the MFDS-notified expression and requires human review confirmation before use in consumer-facing content.
Evidence Boundaries: What This Page Does Not Claim
The following claims are outside the scope of this ingredient record:
This page does not claim arbutin treats or cures any skin condition. The MFDS functional cosmetic classification covers the cosmetic appearance of skin tone. Pigmentation disorders, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are medical conditions regulated under a separate framework.
This page does not claim arbutin is equivalent to hydroquinone. Hydroquinone at effective concentrations is a prescription-only substance in Korea. Arbutin in cosmetics operates under the Cosmetics Act only, and any implied equivalence to prescription skin-lightening agents is prohibited.
This page does not extend its regulatory record to alpha-arbutin. Arbutin (beta-arbutin, CAS 497-76-7) and alpha-arbutin are distinct stereoisomers with separate regulatory considerations. Claims valid for arbutin under this record do not automatically apply to alpha-arbutin.
This page does not guarantee individual results. The MFDS functional claim scope describes a permitted claim category, not a guaranteed outcome for any individual user or product.
Related Entities
Related Ingredients
- Niacinamide (나이아신아마이드) — whitening functional cosmetic ingredient
- Retinol (레티놀) — wrinkle improvement functional cosmetic ingredient
- Alpha-Arbutin — stereoisomer; separate regulatory record required
- Hydroquinone — prescription-only skin-lightening agent; separate regulatory framework
Related Product Types
- 기능성화장품 (Functional cosmetics) — whitening category
- Brightening serums, toners, and creams with MFDS functional cosmetic status
Related Claims
- Skin whitening functional claim (미백 기능성) — MFDS 고시형
- Functional cosmetic reporting/review completion requirement
Related Regulatory Concepts
- 기능성화장품 심사에 관한 규정 (MFDS Notice 2025-88)
- 별표 4 — 고시형 기능성화장품 성분·함량 기준
- 고시형 vs. 개별인정형 functional cosmetic classification
- Beta-arbutin vs. alpha-arbutin regulatory distinction
Source Transparency Note
This page uses the following source classification:
| Source | Role | Authority Scope | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFDS 고시 제2025-88호 (별표 4) | Regulatory | Allowed claims, regulatory status, permitted concentration | Beta-arbutin scope only; does not cover alpha-arbutin or hydroquinone |
| KCIA (no.1880) | Naming | INCI name, Korean name, synonym confirmation | Not valid as functional claim evidence |
| PubChem (CAS 497-76-7) | Chemical identity | CAS number, molecular structure | No regulatory or claim information |
KCIA is used for naming and synonym confirmation only. KCIA alone is not valid evidence for functional or medical claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is arbutin a regulated ingredient in Korean cosmetics?
Yes. Arbutin is listed as a notified functional cosmetic ingredient (고시형 기능성화장품 원료) for skin whitening under MFDS Notice No. 2025-88, Appendix 4. Products using arbutin at 2–5% in specified dosage forms can carry a whitening functional claim after completing the required MFDS process.
What claims are permitted for arbutin in Korean functional cosmetics?
The MFDS-notified permitted expression is: 피부의 미백에 도움을 준다 (“Helps brighten skin tone”). This claim applies only to products that have completed the MFDS functional cosmetic reporting or review process and meet the specified concentration and dosage form requirements.
Is alpha-arbutin the same as arbutin for regulatory purposes in Korea?
No. Arbutin (beta-arbutin, CAS 497-76-7) and alpha-arbutin are distinct stereoisomers. This record covers beta-arbutin as listed in MFDS Notice 2025-88 Appendix 4. Alpha-arbutin’s independent regulatory status under the same appendix requires separate verification and should not be assumed equivalent.
Can arbutin cosmetic products claim to work like hydroquinone?
No. Hydroquinone at cosmetically effective concentrations is a prescription-only substance in Korea and is governed by pharmaceutical law, not the Cosmetics Act. Implying equivalence between cosmetic arbutin and hydroquinone is prohibited under Korean cosmetic labeling regulations.
Can arbutin claims mention treating melasma or hyperpigmentation?
No. Melasma and hyperpigmentation disorders are medical conditions. The MFDS-permitted scope for arbutin is limited to the cosmetic appearance of skin tone (미백). Claims that arbutin treats or cures pigmentation conditions are prohibited under Korean cosmetic regulations.