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Quick answer: Hydroquinone carries the heavier risk profile. Hydroquinone is banned in the EU and allowed in the US; Mineral Oil is — in the EU and — in the US.
| Property | Hydroquinone | Mineral Oil |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Banned | — |
| US status | Allowed | — |
| Risk level | high | — |
| Banned in | European Union | — |
| Restricted in | — | European Union (E905 restricted to specific applications; extensive ongoing EFSA evaluation of MOSH/MOAH contamination), Australia (restricted levels) |
| Category | cmr | additive |
| Where it hides | skin-lightening cream, dark-spot corrector | — |
Hydroquinone is a skin-lightening agent that inhibits melanin production.
Mineral oil (E905) is a refined petroleum product used as a food-grade lubricant, coating agent, and glazing agent in food processing and production. Food-grade mineral oil is a highly refined grade of petroleum distillate with specifications limiting impurities. It differs from pharmaceutical-grade (Vaseline) and cosmetic-grade mineral oils in refinement level.
Hydroquinone: Linked to ochronosis and possible carcinogenicity. Banned in EU cosmetics; sold over-the-counter in the US up to 2%.
Mineral Oil: EFSA has raised significant concerns about mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) contamination in food through two pathways: (1) deliberate food-grade mineral oil use in coatings and processing, and (2) migration from recycled paper and cardboard food packaging into food. MOH comprises two types: mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), which accumulate in human adipose tissue, liver, and spleen, and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are potentially carcinogenic. A 2011 Swiss study found mineral oil hydrocarbons in human liver and spleen samples from autopsy, demonstrating real bioaccumulation. EFSA's 2023 preliminary opinion identified MOAH contamination in food as a safety concern that cannot be dismissed, recommending ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) minimization. Untreated and mildly treated mineral oils are IARC Group 1 human carcinogens for occupational inhalation. Highly refined food-grade mineral oil (E905) is not classified as a direct carcinogen, but MOAH contamination in even food-grade mineral oil is an ongoing concern.
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