Cosmetics · Quasi-drug actives

Trans-3,4'-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxyflavanone

トランス-3,4'-ジメチル-3-ヒドロキシフラバノン (Toransu jimechiru hidorokishi furabanon)

Also known as: Kao markets a preparation as t-Flavanone

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At a glance

CategoryCosmetics
INCI nameFlavanone derivative (specification-dependent)
Japanese labeling nameトランス-3,4'-ジメチル-3-ヒドロキシフラバノン
Common Japanese notationsトランス-3,4'-ジメチル-3-ヒドロキシフラバノン, t-フラバノン
OriginSynthetic (flavanone derivative)
Typical functionsQuasi-drug hair growth / scalp active
Regulatory status in JapanApproved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) active by Japan's 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). Approval applied for by Kao Corporation.

Trans-3,4'-dimethyl-3-hydroxyflavanone is a synthetic flavanone derivative developed by Kao Corporation as a quasi-drug active for hair-related claims. Kao markets its preparation of this ingredient under the brand name t-Flavanone.

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Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Common OEM product categories

Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.

  • Medicated hair tonics (薬用育毛剤)
  • Scalp-care products marketed by Kao

Ingredient profile

Trans-3,4'-dimethyl-3-hydroxyflavanone is a flavanone-class compound with specific methyl and hydroxyl substituents. It is a developed-for-hair-care active that functions through pathways related to hair follicle activity.

OEM applications

Use is concentrated in Kao's medicated hair tonics and scalp-care products.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Approved by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) as a quasi-drug hair active following Kao Corporation's application. Permitted claims relate to scalp / hair function within the standard quasi-drug claim framework.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUVerify the specific INCI registration in current CosIng.
USAVerify INCI registration.
ChinaVerify against current IECIC listings.
KoreaVerify against current KFDA / MFDS listings.

Market reference formulations

Use is concentrated in Kao's medicated hair-care lines. Specific SKU listings will be added after each product's current full ingredient list has been verified.

All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.

Typical OEM use levels

Formulation ranges per finished-product application. Verify against the cited source before production.

ApplicationTypical rangeRegulatory limitNotes
Quasi-drug hair-growth tonic / scalp lotion (Japan)0.3% (representative)Set per individual 厚生労働省 quasi-drug notificationMarketed by Shiseido as t-flavanone; licensed to selected hair-care brands(厚生労働省 医薬部外品有効成分通知)

Stability & compatibility

pH range
pH 4–7
Temperature
Stable at standard cosmetic processing temperatures
Incompatibilities
  • Strong oxidizers
  • Highly alkaline systems

Synthetic flavanone derivative; pre-dissolve in ethanol or propylene glycol for hair-tonic bases.

Alternative ingredients

Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.

Quick answers

What is Trans-3,4'-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxyflavanone?
Trans-3,4'-dimethyl-3-hydroxyflavanone is a synthetic flavanone derivative developed by Kao Corporation as a quasi-drug active for hair-related claims. Kao markets its preparation of this ingredient under the brand name t-Flavanone.
What is the regulatory status of Trans-3,4'-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxyflavanone in Japan?
Approved as a quasi-drug (医薬部外品) active by Japan's 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). Approval applied for by Kao Corporation.
What products typically use Trans-3,4'-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxyflavanone?
Medicated hair tonics (薬用育毛剤) / Scalp-care products marketed by Kao
Where does Trans-3,4'-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxyflavanone come from?
Synthetic (flavanone derivative)
What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Trans-3,4'-Dimethyl-3-Hydroxyflavanone?
INCI: Flavanone derivative (specification-dependent) / JSCI: トランス-3,4'-ジメチル-3-ヒドロキシフラバノン

FAQ for OEM buyers

Q. What is this flavanone derivative used for in Japanese cosmetics?

Trans-3,4'-dimethyl-3-hydroxyflavanone (t-Flavanone) is a Kao-developed scalp/hair active used in medicated hair-tonic products positioned for prevention of hair loss and scalp care.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Industry knowledge — Kao Success/Care medicated hair-tonic line

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. Is it on Japan's quasi-drug active ingredient list?

Yes — it is a Kao-developed quasi-drug active for medicated hair-tonic and scalp-care products approved by 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare); finished products must be filed as quasi-drugs.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • 厚生労働省 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) — quasi-drug approval lists (medicated hair-tonic actives)
Q. Can third-party OEMs source this ingredient?

Commercial supply has been confined to Kao's own product lines (e.g., Success); the molecule is Kao-proprietary and not generally available to third-party OEMs.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Industry knowledge — Kao proprietary actives

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Q. What product formats use this active?

Primarily alcoholic hair-tonic sprays and scalp essences within Kao's Success and adjacent medicated hair-care brands.

Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26

  • Industry knowledge — Kao Success line

Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

Use cases

  • Medicated hair tonic (薬用育毛トニック)

    Positioning
    Men's scalp-care, hair-thinning prevention
    Formulation notes
    Alcohol-based spray format; combined with other Kao scalp actives such as menthol.

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Kao Success product range

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Scalp essence

    Positioning
    Daily-use scalp wellness within medicated hair-care line
    Formulation notes
    Leave-on scalp serum format; quasi-drug filing required for hair-loss claims.

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated scalp-care category

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

  • Medicated unisex hair-care kit

    Positioning
    Combined shampoo + tonic regimen
    Formulation notes
    Active concentrated in tonic component; not typically formulated into rinse-off shampoo.

    Sources

    • Industry knowledge — Japanese medicated hair-care bundles

    Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source

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Official regulatory databases

External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.

References

  1. Japan 医薬品医療機器総合機構 PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) — quasi-drug active ingredient approval registry
  2. Kao Corporation technical publications referencing t-Flavanone

Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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