What is alpha-arbutin?
Alpha-arbutin is a stable, lab-made form of arbutin, a compound found in bearberry and other plants. Chemically it is hydroquinone bound to a sugar.
What it does for skin
It slows tyrosinase, the enzyme skin uses to make melanin. Less melanin production can mean a more even tone and less visible dark spots over time.
What the research shows
A 2021 review describes arbutin as a depigmenting agent with anti-melanin and antioxidant properties and discusses both its effectiveness and its safety.
Because arbutin can release small amounts of hydroquinone, the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) reviewed alpha-arbutin. In its 2015 opinion it judged alpha-arbutin safe at up to 2% in face creams and 0.5% in body lotions.
In DermaGlass®
Alpha-arbutin is listed 7th of 21 ingredients. The pack does not state its concentration.
See the full DermaGlass® ingredient list or how to use the mask.
Safety
Stick to products within regulated limits, and do not combine many brightening products at once. Daily sunscreen matters more than any brightening ingredient for preventing new dark spots.
Questions
Is alpha-arbutin the same as hydroquinone?
No. It is hydroquinone bound to a sugar, which makes it gentler and more stable. It can release small amounts of hydroquinone, which is why EU safety experts set limits for it.
What does alpha-arbutin do for skin?
It slows the enzyme that makes melanin, which can help even out skin tone over time.
Sources
- Boo YC. Arbutin as a Skin Depigmenting Agent with Antimelanogenic and Antioxidant Properties. Antioxidants. 2021;10(7):1129. doi:10.3390/antiox10071129
- Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. Opinion on alpha-arbutin, SCCS/1552/15 (2015).
General information, not medical advice. Read our terms.