What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
No concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
HumectantGlycerin
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Alpha-Arbutin
Antioxidant
Methyl Gluceth-20
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Betaine
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingParfum
Masking
Disodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Skin Conditioning
Prunus Persica Flower Extract
MoisturisingRosa Damascena Flower Water
Masking
Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPhyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract
HumectantOzothamnus Diosmifolius Extract
Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Coral Extract
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Alpha-Arbutin, Methyl Gluceth-20, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sorbitan Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Prunus Persica Flower Extract, Rosa Damascena Flower Water, Malpighia Punicifolia Fruit Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower Extract, Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Extract, Ozothamnus Diosmifolius Extract, Coccinia Indica Fruit Extract, Coral Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Alpha-Arbutin is a brightening active used to fade dark spots, melasma, and post-acne marks. Structurally, it is a hydroquinone with a sugar molecule attached (but is much gentler than raw hydroquinone).
It has a pretty elegant way of working; it slots into tyrosinase, or the key enzyme that your skin uses to make melanin), and competitively blocks it so your skin produces less pigment over time.
There are two forms of arbutin and alpha is the better one to reach for: it works at lower amounts, absorbs into skin more easily, and has a strong safety record.
The science backs this up too: lab and animal studies confirm it lowers melanin by blocking tyosinase and the more you use (up to a point), the more it works.
Human studies look good too.
A 2024 trial found a cream with 5% alpha-arbutin and 2% kojic acid worked about as well as a prescription melasma cream but with fewer side effects. Another study showed 2% alpha-arbutin paired with 10% Trihydroxybenzoic Acid Glucoside and sunscreen faded dark spots and melasma without causing irritation.
Concentration-wise, most serums land in the 1-2% range.
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded that alpha-arbutin is safe in face creams up to 2% and body lotions up to 0.5%.
Overall, this is a well-studied and low-irritation brightener that's a great pick for anyone dealing with uneven skin tone. It also pairs well with vitamin C, niacinamide, and sunscreen.
Learn more about Alpha-Arbutin
