On the 4th, Kanebo Cosmetics (Chuo Ward, Tokyo), a subsidiary of Kao Corporation, announced a voluntary recall of 54 products, including skin-whitening cosmetics, due to reports of "mottled whitening of the skin" caused by the use of these products. The recall affects 54 products containing "Rhododenol." This includes skin-whitening cosmetics from Kanebo's group companies, such as Resurge and RMK. "Rhododenol" is an active skin-whitening ingredient developed exclusively by Kanebo and approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a new active quasi-drug ingredient in January 2008. Rhododenol was developed from a natural substance (4HPB) found in birch bark. It inhibits the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme necessary for the binding of melanin, which causes age spots. Its whitening effect has also been recognized by reducing eumelanin (black melanin), which makes age spots more visible. Among many oil-soluble whitening active ingredients, kojic acid is water-soluble, making it easy to incorporate into lotions and other cosmetics. Its popularity stemmed from the idea of "whitening with lotion," a more convenient alternative to creams and serums. In 2003, imports and sales of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics containing kojic acid were suspended due to concerns about the acid's carcinogenicity. However, in 2005, manufacturers conducted additional testing to confirm its safety. This proved that its use in cosmetics was safe, and the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare recognized this, allowing the resumption of manufacturing and sales of cosmetics containing kojic acid. In this latest case, Kanebo began an investigation after receiving a call from a dermatologist in May of this year reporting that three people had developed patchy white skin after using the product. After confirming 39 cases of symptoms, the company decided to voluntarily recall the product. Owners of the affected products can return them to Kanebo, postage prepaid, to the address listed below for a refund.
9-8-7 Tamura, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 254-0013 Kanebo Cosmetics Co., Ltd. Customer Receptionist Phone: 0120-137-411