PoreWise Ingredient
Arbutin
Public databaseARBUTIN
Arbutin is a glycosylated derivative of hydroquinone used in skincare for uneven skin tone; alpha- and beta-arbutin are its two common forms. The strongest evidence comes from a 2015 human trial: In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of 102 women with melasma or solar lentigo, a cream with 2.51% arbutin applied twice daily for 8 weeks lightened discolouration in 75.86% of the melasma group and 56.00% of the solar-lentigo group. 2015 · 102 people · women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo · PMID 26119285 · The active was an aqueous extract standardised to 2.51% arbutin. 4 products contain Arbutin; the highest it appears is number 2 of 15.
- Also written as:
- alpha-Arbutin, beta-Arbutin, Hydroquinone-beta-D-glucopyranoside
- INCI name:
- ARBUTIN
- CAS number:
- 497-76-7
- Source:
- PubChem
Functions
Products with this ingredient
Arbutin appears on 4 product ingredient lists, most often around number 7; its highest position is number 2 of 15.
| Product | Brand | Where it sits on the list |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA | The Ordinary | 2 of 15 |
| Alpha Arbutin Serum 2% | Naturium | 3 of 20 |
| Glow Deep Serum : Rice + Alpha-Arbutin | Beauty of Joseon | 7 of 32 |
| Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum | Anua | 8 of 51 |
Studies and results
- 1 Skin effectA double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Serratulae quinquefoliae folium, a new source of beta-arbutin, in selected skin hyperpigmentations
In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of 102 women with melasma or solar lentigo, a cream with 2.51% arbutin applied twice daily for 8 weeks lightened discolouration in 75.86% of the melasma group and 56.00% of the solar-lentigo group.
Human trial · 2015 · 102 people · women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo · Women aged 26-55 with melasma or solar lentigo, applying a 2.51% arbutin cream twice daily for 8 weeks. · The active was an aqueous extract standardised to 2.51% arbutin.
- 2 Skin effectA cream of herbal mixture to improve melasma
In a randomized, double-blind, controlled study of 90 volunteers with melasma, the arbutin-cream arm showed a significant fall in melasma severity score from 12.65 to 10.84 over 12 weeks; two participants had mild erythema and itching that resolved after stopping the cream.
Human trial · 2019 · 90 people · volunteers with melasma · Volunteers with melasma using an arbutin cream twice daily for 12 weeks (one of three arms: herbal mixture, arbutin cream, placebo). · Small per-arm sample and a single active agent among three comparison groups; tolerability was good overall with two mild irritation events.
Skin concerns this ingredient has been studied for
The people in each study had that concern.
Common questions
- What does Arbutin do in skincare?
- Arbutin is a glycosylated derivative of hydroquinone used in skincare for uneven skin tone; alpha- and beta-arbutin are its two common forms.
- Where does Arbutin sit in these formulas?
- Arbutin appears in 4 products; highest on the list is number 2 of 15, in Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.
- Which products contain Arbutin?
- Products that contain Arbutin: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Alpha Arbutin Serum 2%, Glow Deep Serum : Rice + Alpha-Arbutin, Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum.
- How strong is the evidence behind Arbutin?
- 2 findings on Arbutin; the strongest is a 2015 human trial of 102 women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo.
- What did the study on Arbutin measure?
- 2015 · 102 people · women (54 study / 48 control) with melasma or solar lentigo · PMID 26119285 · The active was an aqueous extract standardised to 2.51% arbutin.