CIR Panel Affirms Hydroquinone Safety, Questions Use Under UV Nail Lights

At its September meeting, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that hydroquinone and p-hydroxyanisole are safe in gel nail products when LED lights are used in the curing process, but advises use of protective measures when UV lights, or fluorescent lights, are used due to concerns about skin-cancer risks. Separately, panel members issued a final amended assessment for preservative methylisothiazolinone, affirming their earlier tentative decision on the ingredient’s safety in rinse-off and leave-in products.