Alpha Arbutin Skin Care Benefits

Many of us suffer from hyperpigmentation which although is harmless, can lower our confidence.

This skin condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than usual is caused by excess deposition of melanin, the pigment that is responsible for normal skin tone.

Excessive melanin can be due to various reasons such as acne scars, sun damage, or hormonal fluctuations.

Hyperpigmentation can be treated by cause-directed treatment. Simply, since hyperpigmentation is the manifestation of increased melanin, we need a way to reduce melanin.

Apart from the use of one of the best hyperpigmentation soaps, another wondrous substance that has the function of reducing melanin is Arbutin. You might have heard of this substance many times if you’re dealing with skin problems.

Let me take you through why it’s a useful thing to have in your bag of beauty products.

How Arbutin Lowers Melanin

Arbutin is a molecule obtained from the bearberry plant. It is a derivative of hydroquinone. Although both arbutin and hydroquinone lower melanin, arbutin is more effective.

To understand what it does you need to know how the pigment (melanin) actually forms.

The skin contains melanin-producing cells called melanocytes that form melanin from tyrosine, an amino acid. This conversion proceeds due to the aid of the enzyme tyrosinase which gets activated on exposure to UV rays. This tyrosinase is the center of arbutin’s action.

By inhibiting this enzyme, melanin formation is blocked¹. This leads to a decrease in melanin formation, reduction of acne scars, dark spots, and freckles².

Alpha Arbutin Skin Care Benefits

Now that we know how this molecule actually works we can enlist its main benefits which include:

1. It Repairs Sun Damage

Because of its ability to inhibit tyrosinase it reduces the appearance of sun spot and age spot and may provide the skin sufficient protection to prevent the effects of sun damage from forming. 

2. It Evens Out Skin Tone

With application to the hyperpigmented area, the suppression of melanin would even out the complexion by giving the face a homogeneous tone.

3. It Brightens The Skin

Daily exposure to dirt, dust, and pollutants makes the skin dull and drained. Using Arbutin-based products corrects this by brightening, lightening, and giving a fresh look to the skin just like the skin lightening serum for black skin.

4. It Fades Dark Spots and Scars

Arbutin fades dark spots as well as those pesky scars that leave after acne resolves.

5. It's Gentle on The Skin

Skin brightening ingredients dry up and irritate the skin, but Arbutin is gentle on the skin, its active component releases slowly making it suitable for sensitive skin types.

READ: Is Toner Supposed to Burn

The Best Products To Use with Alpha Arbutin

1. Elite Naturals Brightening Toning Serum

This is a natural skin brightening and toning serum. It is enriched with natural ingredients including Arbutin which rejuvenates, hydrates, and brightens the skin cells from within giving you a glowing dark spot-free face regardless of the skin type.

Its antioxidant components make a barrier for your skin against damaging insults from the environment.                            

2. Elite Naturals Brightening Toning Body Milk

This is a natural brightening milk that gives your whole body an even skin tone by reducing hyperpigmentation, fading acne scars and repairing damaged skin. Not only does this formula protect the body's skin against the tough environment but it also makes it radiant and glossy.

References:

1. Sarkar, R., Arora, P., & Garg, K. V. (2013). Cosmeceuticals for Hyperpigmentation: What is Available?. Journal of cutaneous and aesthetic surgery, 6(1), 4–11. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-2077.110089
2. Saeedi, M., Khezri, K., Seyed Zakaryaei, A., & Mohammadamini, H. (2021). A comprehensive review of the therapeutic potential of α-arbutin. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 10.1002/ptr.7076. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7076