Kanebo Recalls Rhododenol-Based Skin Brighteners From Asian Markets
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
As many as 450,000 units under an array of brands are being recalled by Kao Corporation’s Kanebo Cosmetics unit following reports suggesting that the company’s Rhododenol brightening ingredient can leave white blotches on skin.
Kao Corporation’s Kanebo Cosmetics unit is recalling from Japan, Hong Kong and other Asian markets an array of products designed to brighten skin with its Rhododenol ingredient, which has been linked to reports of consumers developing white blotches on their skin.
The voluntary action, which covers more than 50 SKUs in total, concerns 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol, a substance derived from the bark of the white birch tree that “confers strong brightening effects by suppressing the production of melanin in several stages,” according to Kanebo’s website.
In its recall notice, the Tokyo-based firm says Rhododenol is approved as an active quasi-drug ingredient by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare “after passing extensive safety tests.”
Nevertheless, “as long as there is the possibility of a connection between Rhododenol and the symptoms [reported], Kanebo Cosmetics” and subsidiaries Lissage Ltd. and E’quipe Ltd. “have decided to voluntarily recall all of their products containing it.”
Affected brands include Blanchir Superior, which markets White Deep Clear, Milky and Night conditioners, among other products, Suisai for its Whitening Essence, and Twany, whose recalled items include Esthetude White Lotion, Esthetude White UV Protect Serum and Esthetude White Clear Tight Mask.
The release also lists offerings under Kanebo’s Impress, Aqualeaf, Lissage, RMK and Suqqu brands.
The firm is recalling products from roughly 15,000 drugstores, supermarkets, specialty retailers, department stores and other sales outlets in Japan, and has initiated corrective measures in Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and the Philippines. It expects that as many as 450,000 units will be recalled, a company spokesperson said.
The brands are not available in the U.S., according to the rep, but RMK and Suqqu are sold in the U.K. Consumers there can contact the company’s Customer Service department to receive refunds and instructions, the rep said.
Reportedly, the Philippines Food and Drug Authority has banned products containing Rhododenol from the market, and Taiwan’s Department of Health has given Kanebo one month to submit a report on the ingredient’s safety as it considers similar action.
According to the company, Rhododenol lightens skin tone by inhibiting and accelerating the degradation of tyrosinase, an enzyme that plays a key role in melanin synthesis, and by inhibiting the production of eumelanin, which “is thought to be the main cause of dark spots, dullness and other types of pigmentation.”
Kao acquired Kanebo in early 2006 in a stock deal valued at roughly $2.37 billion (Also see "Kao acquires Kanebo" - HBW Insight, 2 Jan, 2006.).