What brightening ingredients can a cosmetic chemist legally use in a body wash sold in the US and EU?

In the US, brightening actives like niacinamide, alpha-arbutin, kojic acid, ascorbyl glucoside, and tranexamic acid are generally permissible as cosmetic ingredients. The EU restricts or bans certain forms of hydroquinone and regulates kojic acid concentrations. A qualified cosmetic chemist will cross-reference your target markets' restricted substance lists before finalising any formula — confirm this is part of their deliverable before signing a contract.