Arbutin

TYPE OF INGREDIENT​
Antioxidant and skin brightener
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Serums, moisturizers, toners

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ARBUTIN ?

Arbutin is a skincare ingredient that provides skin lightening and antioxidant effects. Arbutin blocks tyrosinase, which is an enzyme involved in producing pigmentation. It helps fade discoloration caused by inflammation and ultraviolet light. As an antioxidant, it also protects against environmental stressors.

WHAT IS ARBUTIN ?

Alpha arbutin, also called Hydroquinone β-D-glucopyranoside, is a naturally occurring molecule that is derived from the bearberry plant. Alpha-arbutin is the chemically synthesized version of arbutin that is most commonly found in skincare products.

Arbutin-bearberry-fruit

IS ARBUTIN SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?

Yes

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None

Sources:
  1. Boo YC. Arbutin as a Skin Depigmenting Agent with Antimelanogenic and Antioxidant Properties. Antioxidants. 2021; 10(7):1129. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10071129
  2. Masataka Funayama, Hirokuni Arakawa, Ryohei Yamamoto, Toyokazu Nishino, Takashi Shin & Sawao Murao (1995) Effects of α– and β-Arbutin on Activity of Tyrosinases from Mushroom and Mouse Melanoma, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 59:1, 143-144, DOI: 10.1271/bbb.59.143
  3. Ebanks JP, Wickett RR, Boissy RE. Mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation: the rise and fall of complexion coloration. Int J Mol Sci. 2009 Sep 15;10(9):4066-4087. doi: 10.3390/ijms10094066. PMID: 19865532; PMCID: PMC2769151

Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH

Author

Toral Vaidya, MD, MPH, is a dermatology resident physician at Weill Cornell Dermatology in New York City. Her clinical interests include skin of color dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and skincare education. She has been involved with medical writing for the last 10 years.