Bihaku is a Japanese word referring to whitening (skin lightening) or brightening function in beauty products. It literally means “beautiful white”.

Most probably know that whitening beauty products are HUGE in Japan (as well as other Asian countries). It is sort of like the Asian-equivalent of anti-wrinkle products.

For clarity sakes, I’m using bihaku here to clearly differentiate Japanese products from other varieties.

What bihaku products are NOT:

-They do not give skin a whitened appearance.
-They will not permanently or temporarily alter the natural skin colour you were born with. They will not lighten your natural light brown skin to an alabaster shade.
-They do not contain hydroquinone, mercury, or lead. These ingredients are illegal in cosmetics.

Function/Purpose of bihaku products:

There’re slight variations depending on the active(s) used but they all help prevent and fade hyperpigmentation. Pretty much everyone, no matter the age, sex, skintype, or skin tone can greatly benefit from these products.

1. Treat (and sometimes also help prevent) localized hyperpigmentation like melasma, acne marks, and dark spots.
2. Help fade and prevent a tan.
3. Brighten and even overall skin tone.

It is automatically assumed (since it is rarely written on the packaging) that users also practice sun avoidance and use proper sun protection daily in addition to using these products. Not doing so can cause adverse effect!

Bihaku Quasi-Drugs

Quasi-drug is considered a medication and it has a restricted purpose of use. Most bihaku products are categorized as quasi-drugs in Japan so standard laws and import (personal and business) restrictions do apply just like any other medications!

For bihaku quasi-drugs, they contain active ingredient(s) that are approved  by  the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to be effective (and safe) for preventing or improving on hyperpigmentation.

These products have stricter ingredient labelling regulations than regular products. For e.g., if a product contains regular zinc oxide, micronized zinc oxide, and silicone-coated zinc oxide, each has to be clearly identified on the ingredient list in order of quantity instead of simply grouping them together on the labelling as “zinc oxide”.

Bihaku actives approved by MHLW that are developed in Japan

They all reduce hyperpigmentation but the process differs. As you can see the chart below, it’s best to pick active(s) that will best treat the type of hyperpigmentation you have.

My sources of info are linked if you are interested in scientific studies and journals which explain each in details. Hover your cursor over the links for more info.

These are all the actives approved for treating hyperpigmentation:

4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanol (4-HPB) -It inhibits melanin production.

Developed by Kanebo in 2007 and it is a has been shown to be effective for treating UV-induced hyperpigmentation and brightening and evening overall skin tone. source

4-n-Butylresorcinol (Rucinol) – It inhibits melanin production.

Developed by Pola in 1998 and it has been shown to be particularly effective for treating melasma. source, source 2, source 3

E.g. of product with this as main active: POLA White Shot W

5,5-Dipropyl-biphenyl-2,2-diol (Magnolignan) - It decreases melanin production to treat UV-induced and hormone/medication-induced hyperpigmentation.

Developed by Kanebo in 2005 and it is a type of polyphenol with a similar structure as Japanese whitebark magnolia. source, source 2, source 3

E.g. of product with this as main active: Kanebo Impress IC White Returnery

Adenosine Monophosphate Disodium Salt (AMP) - It prevents accumulation of melanin in the skin.

Developed by Otsuka Pharmaceutical in 2004 and it speeds up cellular  renewal rate to help in  skin rejuvenation. source

E.g. of product with this as main active:  InnerSignal Rejuvenate Clear-up Mask

Arbutin – It inhibits melanin production.

Developed by Shiseido in the late 1980s and it is a natural derivative of hydroquinone but it is non-cytotoxic.  Source, Source 2

E.g. of product with this as main active: Rohto Hada Labo Shirojyun Medicated Bihaku Lotion (a.k.a Hada Labo Arbutin Whitening Lotion)

Chamomilla Extract – anti-inflammatory agent. It inhibits UV-induced hyperpigmentation.

Developed by Kao in late 1990s and it is the only whitening active from botanical extracts approved in Japan. It inhibits melanin synthesis in melanocytes.  Source

E.g. of product with this as main active: Kao Curél Whitening Moisture Essence

Ellagic Acid – It inhibits melanin production to treat UV-induced hyperpigmentation.

Developed by Lion Corporation in mid 1990s and it is a naturally occurring polyphenols found in certain plants. Its mechanism  is similar to kojic acid. Source

E.g. of product with this as main active: Helena Rubinstein Age White Reverser Superior Serum (a.k.a. AG White Reverser Concentrate).

Kojic Acid – antibacterial agent. It inhibits melanin  production with very mild antioxidative effect.

Developed in the late 1980s and it is a by-product of Japanese sake’s fermentation process. In 2003, MHLW briefly warned against using kojic acid due to the possible carcinogenic effects but after further revaluation in 2005, it has been deemed safe as a cosmetic ingredient and continue to be  widely used.

E.g. of product with this as main active: Albion IGNIS Whitening Concentrate Energist

Linoleic Acid – It suppresses melanin production and accelerates skin cell turnover  to treat UV-induced pigmentation.

Developed by Sunstar Inc in 2001 and it is an unsaturated fatty acid derived from hydrolyzed plant oils. Source, Source 2

m-Tranexamic Acid - It targets spots to suppress melanin production to treat UV-induced hyperpigmentation and it improves skin roughness caused environmental factors.

Developed by Shiseido in 2002 and it is also used orally to treat melasma.  Source

E.g. of product with this as main active:  Shiseido ELIXIR WHITE Reset White Cream

Placental Extract/Protein – It accelerates skin cellular renewal rate to remove pigmentation.

It is equality as popular and has been used  as  an active for  as long as Vitamin C in Japan. It used to be bovine (cow) -derived  but  due to concern over Mad Cow Disease, it is now derived from swine (pig). Despite the strong presence in bihaku products, placental extract has been to shown to increase melanin production.

E.g. of product with this as main active:  SOLANOVEIL Medicated Bihaku Milk

Potassium Methoxy Salicylate (4MSK) - It reduces melanin production.

Developed by Shisieido in 2003 and its mechanism is similar to arbutin.

E.g. of product with this as main active: Shiseido HAKU Melanofocus W & HAKU Melanofocus W

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) - It prevents UV-induced hyperpigmentation by its antioxidative nature.

Ascorbic acid and its derivatives are the most popular actives in Japan and they have been used since the late 1980s.  Many Japanese companies have developed their own ascorbic acid derivatives. E.g.  magnesium sodium L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA2G), L-ascorbic acid ethyl ester

E.g. of product with AA2G as main active: SOFINA beauté Bihaku Lotion

What about the other actives?

Some of you probably noticed that there’re quite of lot of common actives used for fading hyperpigmentation not listed (banned actives aside). Popular actives  like dipotassium glycyrrhizate, licorice and all other plant extracts, AHA, retinoids, etc. are all not (yet) approved by the MHLW for skin lightening.

What does that mean? Those ingredients can still be used BUT…. without adding at least one of the approved actives, those products are not allowed to be labeled/classified as a medication for treating hyperpigmentation. Which implies to the Japanese consumer that they’re not as an effective product for treating hyperpigmentation (regular  cosmetics VS quasi-drugs).

There’re generally 2 reasons why an active is not approved:

1.  The active is deemed not effective enough.
2. An approval request for the active has not been submitted to the MHLW.