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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA versus Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin .

Last updated on December 26, 2023. Published on February 18, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for brightening skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Serum Canadian Brand Canada
Serum Malaysian Brand Malaysia

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

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Buy Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Starts at $11.50
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Buy 2% Alpha Arbutin

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Brightening

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema

Benefits

Hydrating (3)
Redness Reducing (2)
Reduces Irritation
Dark Spots
Scar Healing
Brightening
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 1.

Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Antioxidant, Bleaching, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Alpha-Arbutin is made from hydroquinone and glucose. It may be derived from the fermentation of soybeans.

It is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may damage your skin cells.

Studies show this ingredient helps improve hyperpigmentation and fade discoloration.

Alpha-Arbutin may be used with other ingredients that help with hyperpigmentation. These ingredients include retinol, Vitamin C, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.

Learn more about Alpha-Arbutin

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 2.

Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.

According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:

One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.

Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 4.

Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 20.

4
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 11.

Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 22.

5
What it does: Antimicrobial, Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Chlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.

Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.

Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.

Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.

Learn more about Chlorphenesin

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains this as ingredient number 12.

Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin contains this as ingredient number 23.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

42% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
42% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
63% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
21% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 12 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 10 ratings
Hydrating (2) Great Value (2) Absorbs Well (2) Light (2) Doesn't Work (1) Works Well (1)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

3 months ago · Dry Skin
Review

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few...

(Tried Nov 2022) This turned out to be one of those products that I had a bit of a hard time determining whether or not it worked even after a few purchases. If anything, I appreciated how budget friendly it was and the hydrating feel of the serum, but I can't say it did much for my stubborn dark spots.

Qinasofree's avatar

Qinasofree

2 years ago · Combination Skin
Review

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my...

LOVE THIS
I love TO products, and this Alpha Arbutin is def my skin favourites! It helps in reducing my hyperpigmentation and the added HA keeps my skin hydrated.

Ruruberry 2% Alpha Arbutin 24 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1) Sticky (1) Works Well (1)
JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352's avatar

JohnnyLeeZongHeng_352

4 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

The product didn't break my oily and acne prone skin out and it did significantly reduced my PIH and acne scars within 2 weeks. It hydrates my...

The product didn't break my oily and acne prone skin out and it did significantly reduced my PIH and acne scars within 2 weeks. It hydrates my skin too due to the hyaluronic acids it contains which helps me to replace my 6HA serum. It has a translucent appearance with a slimy consistency, and it gets sticky after rubbing it. However, it gets light after you let it dry.

Alternatives

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