👀 Why Hydroquinone Has No Business Being in Lash Glue
When you’re lashing near the eyes, you don’t mess around — safety is everything. That’s why it baffles us that some lash glues still use Hydroquinone (HQ) as a stabiliser. Not only is it outdated, but it’s also risky, irritating, and flat-out banned in many places.
At Ladybug Lashes, we ditched HQ for good and spent two years developing a cleaner, safer alternative — BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) — that still performs like a dream. Here’s why HQ doesn’t belong anywhere near your tweezers or your clients’ lashes.
💥 What Even Is Hydroquinone?
Hydroquinone is a chemical once used to stabilise lash glue — basically, to stop the formula from breaking down too fast. Sounds smart, right? But here’s the catch: that "stability" comes at a major cost to your client’s health and your professional integrity.
🚨 Why Hydroquinone is a Big No-No
1. Skin + Eye Irritation
HQ can trigger redness, itching, burning — you name it. Even in small amounts, it’s harsh on the delicate eye area.
👁 Many lash reactions blamed on cyanoacrylate are actually made worse by HQ sitting quietly in the background.
2. Allergy Risk
If your client has sensitive skin or is prone to reactions, HQ is basically a ticking time bomb. It amplifies irritation, especially when mixed with fumes from lash glue. Not worth it.
3. Cancer Concerns
Yep, you read that right. Some studies have linked long-term HQ exposure to cancer risks. This stuff should not be near the eyes — full stop.
4. It’s Literally Banned in the UK & EU
In the UK and Europe, HQ isn’t even allowed in cosmetic products. And in the U.S., the FDA’s cracking down — they’ve pulled HQ from over-the-counter skin-lightening products, and it now requires drug-level approval. We expect even stricter rules to roll out under MoCRA soon.
5. Environmental Damage
HQ doesn’t just harm humans — it’s also toxic to aquatic life. We’re all about glam, but never at the planet’s expense. ✌️🌍
🌿 So Why BHA?
We said bye-bye to HQ and hello to BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) — a globally approved cosmetic stabiliser that gives us all the adhesive power without the sketchy side effects.
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✅ Gentle on eyes + skin
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✅ Reduces allergic reactions
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✅ Safe, stable, high-performing
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✅ Approved across UK, EU, U.S., and more
🧪 Beyond Safe — We Go the Extra Mile
Lash glue doesn’t technically need to meet cosmetic safety standards… but we think it should. That’s why we go above and beyond:
- ✔️ Fully transparent ingredients
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✔️ Manufactured in ISO-certified facilities
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✔️ Compliant with global safety regulations
💗 Make the Safe Switch with Ladybug Lashes
Hydroquinone belongs in the past. At Ladybug Lashes, we’re proud to lead the way with HQ-free, BHA-stabilised lash glues trusted by lash professionals around the world.
If you're ready to lash smarter, safer, and more ethically — your clients (and their eyes) will thank you.
👉 Explore our range and join the new standard in safe lashing.
Let’s create beauty without compromise. 💫
