Hyperpigmentation, who?

You've tried vitamin C, retinol, glycolic acid. Now it's time to add this underrated ingredient to your beauty kit.

- Stuti Agarwal

There is no escaping the cosmetic jargon with this one, so let’s get it out of the way. Arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone (a popular skin lightening ingredient), and a naturally occurring antioxidant and skin brightener that is found in bearberry, cranberry, and wheat. Think of it as an organic molecule that breaks down to make hydroquinone, which inhibits the formation of melanin—and this is the real important bwit—improving age spots, freckles, melasma, and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Alpha arbutin is the synthetic derivative of arbutin, and beta arbutin is the plant-derived form of it. While both work the same way, with targeted formulation, alpha arbutin is just stronger and more effective. “In fact, it is more effective than vitamin C in treating skin blemishes and pigmentation, and safer than hydroquinone,” says Dr Madhuri Agarwal, a leading dermatologist and cosmetologist.

HOW DOES ALPHA ARBUTIN WORK?