A glycoside used in products for uneven-looking pigmentation.
Sources: 1, 2α-arbutin
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Not assessed
Alpha-Arbutin
What it does
Targets pigment-related appearance. Alpha-arbutin and beta-arbutin are different ingredients and should not be interchanged in a record.
Sources: 1, 2Good for
- Uneven-looking pigmentation
How to use it
Follow the finished product's directions and assess tolerance when introducing it. Ingredient research does not supply one universal dose or schedule.
Sources: 1, 2Who should be careful
Irritation can worsen the appearance of pigmentation. Persistent or changing pigmented lesions need clinical assessment.
Sources: 1, 2Pairs well with
No supported pairings have been documented for this record.
Usage, safety and formulation details
Mechanism of action
Can inhibit tyrosinase activity involved in melanin production; a laboratory mechanism does not predict a guaranteed visible result.
Sources: 1, 2Potential adverse effects
Irritation or contact allergy may occur; stop a product that causes a persistent or marked reaction.
Sources: 1, 2Formulation considerations
Control stability, impurities and hydroquinone release. Applicable concentration limits depend on product type and jurisdiction.
Sources: 1, 2Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Not assessed
No pregnancy- or breastfeeding-specific assessment has been completed for this record. A cosmetic safety review is not a pregnancy rating.
Safety tags
- Fragrance allergen
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Essential oil
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- Drying alcohol
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
- May irritate sensitive skin
- Not assessed
Not separately assessed in this draft.
What remains uncertain
- Exact concentration, final pH and the full composition of any unprovided finished product
Clinical evidence and research
Clinical evidence
Evidence for its main benefitNot assessed
The cited references support identity, formulation role or safety context. No standalone clinical efficacy rating has been completed for the main benefit in this draft.
Sources: 1, 2Regulation and ingredient label names
Regulatory information
Names on ingredient lists
alpha-arbutin
Chemical identity and molecular structure
Chemical information
Chemical structure
| Detail | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PubChem CID | 158637 | PubChem compound 158637: chemical identity |
| molecular formula | C12H16O7 | PubChem compound 158637: chemical identity |
| molecular weight | 272.25 g/mol | PubChem compound 158637: chemical identity |
| iupac name | (2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)oxane-3,4,5-triol | PubChem compound 158637: chemical identity |
Content updated 9 November 2026.
Sources (3)
Scientific sources
- SCCS: Safety of alpha-arbutin and beta-arbutinscientific opinion · 2023
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/996: vitamin A, alpha-arbutin, arbutin and certain potential endocrine disruptorsregulation · 2024
- PubChem compound 158637: chemical identitychemical identity
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