Alpha-Arbutin is a glycoside.
- Dark spots B-
- Amount studies used
- ≤2%
- When
- morning and evening
- Irritation
- low
Grades were set by reading this ingredient’s studies. They describe the ingredient, not every product that contains it.
How much products actually contain
9 products state the amountmedian 2%89% at or above the amount studies used (≤2%)
- under 0.01% 0
- 0.01–0.1% 0
- 0.1–1% 0
- 1% or more 9
Amounts are mostly stated by products named after the ingredient, so they may lean towards token amounts.
Of the products containing it, 77 list it before the 1% line and 57 after it (usually 1% or less).
Where no amount is stated, a product listing it early reaches the study amount about 73% of the time, one listing it late about 5%.
Clinical evidence grade by skin concern
- B
- one or two randomised trials
Products using this ingredient
12 of 133 confirmed · likeliest to carry enough first · See all 133
SidmoolSkin Source Ultra Albutin Cream7% stated · study amount
Cos De BAHAAL Serum5% stated · study amount
TOSOWOONGAlpha-Arbutin 2% Rice Bran Water Serum2% stated · study amount
COSRXThe Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum 50ml2% stated · study amount
Beauty of JoseonGlow Deep Serum : Rice + Alpha-Arbutin2% stated · study amount
COSRXCOSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum2% stated · study amount
Beauty of JoseonBeauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum : Rice + Alpha-Arbutin2% stated · study amount
COSRXCOSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum2% stated · study amount
NaturiumNaturium Alpha Arbutin Serum 2%likely enough
TheradermAlpha Quinone Serumlikely enough
FarmacyFarmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum Trial Sizelikely enough
FarmacyFarmacy Bright On 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serumlikely enough
Definition
Alpha-Arbutin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula:
Alpha-Arbutin is a glycoside.
Source: PubChem
US FDA substance register · UNII 72VUP07IT5 · registered name ALPHA-ARBUTIN · single chemical substance
Cosmetic roles
Safety & regulatory references
- Restricted
- Taiwan
Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation · MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information · Taiwan FDA cosmetic regulations
European Union
- Product Type, body parts : (a) Face cream (b) Body lotion
- Maximum concentration in ready for use preparation : (a) 2 % (b) 0,5 %
- Wording of conditions of use and warnings : Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level.
Source: MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information
EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (restricted substances), entry 377 · maximum concentration (a) 2 % (b) 0,5 % · applies to (a) Face cream (b) Body lotion
Restriction III/377 · SCCS opinion: Opinion on the safety of alpha- (CAS No. 84380-018, EC No. 617-561-8) and beta-arbutin (CAS No. 497-76-7, EC No. 207-8503) in cosmetic products, preliminary version of 15-16 March 2022, final version of 31 January 2023, SCCS/1642/22; OPINION ON α-arbutin
Source: EU CosIng ingredient list
More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature
Official labels & definitions
JCIA labelling name α－アルブチン: 本品は、ハイドロキノン（＊）とグルコース（＊）をα結合させたものであり、次の化学式で表される。
Source: JCIA labelling names (Japan)
Names & identifiers
- CAS No.chemical registry number
- 84380-01-8
- EC No.EU chemical inventory number
- 617-561-8
- DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID
- DTXSID20233358
- DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID
- DTXCID20155849
- IUPAC
- 4-Hydroxyphenyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside
- Molecular formula
- C12H16O7
- Molecular weight
- 272.253 g/mol
What products actually use it for
What the 6 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.
- Softener and conditioner3
- Antioxidant2
- Bleaching agent1
Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard
Related literature
- The Efficacy of Topical Cosmetic Containing Alpha-Arbutin 5% and Kojic Acid 2% Compared With Triple Combination Cream for the Treatment of Melasma: A Split-Face, Evaluator-Blinded Randomized Pilot Study. · 2025
- Topical Ethosomal Formulation of Alpha Arbutin: Dermatokinetic Study and In-vitro Evaluation · 2025
- Chemical composition and ameliorative effect of <i>Cinnamomum burmanni</i> (Nees & T.Nees) Blume essential oil nanoemulgel in UVB-induced skin photoaging C57BL/6 mice<i>: in vivo</i> and <i>in silico</i> studies. · 2025
- Quantifying alpha arbutin and niacinamide from nanocosmeceutical formulation matrix: AQbD driven high-performance thin-layer chromatographic method. · 2025
- Targeted intradermal delivery of alpha-arbutin-loaded dissolving polymeric microneedles visualized by three-dimensional Orbitrap secondary ion mass spectrometry (3D OrbiSIMS). · 2024
Linked databases 19
- China inventory of existing ingredients (IECIC)
- EU CosIng ingredient list 2
- EU Cosmetics Regulation
- EU restricted substances (Annex III)
- Europe PMC 2 3
- JCIA labelling names (Japan)
- Korea Cosmetic Association ingredient dictionary
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic ingredient register 2
- MFDS (Korea) cosmetic regulatory information 2 3
- PubChem
- Taiwan FDA cosmetic regulations
- Tlooto literature search 2
- UniChem cross-reference IDs
- US EPA CompTox dashboard 2
- US EPA DSSTox chemical database
- US FDA substance registration (GSRS)
- US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)
- Wikidata
- Wikipedia · English