What are the amazing anti aging properties of Arbutin?
After previously talking about the spectacular effects that vitamin C has on improving skin texture and health, up next is another amazing ingredient that is Arbutin. We’ll talk about its benefits in the following article.
What is Arbutin and why is it an essential ingredient for healthy skin?
Arbutin is a naturally occurring “cousin” of the synthetic hydroquinone. It’s naturally derived from a substance found in plants like bearberry, cranberries, blueberries, wheat, and pears. Our bodies break down arbutin into glucose and hydroquinone.
Arbutin has already been studies for more than 50 years and it’s been shown not to render both the benefits AND the side effects and risks that synthetic hydroquinone provides to our bodies. This makes arbutin a safe and effective choice for people with sensitive skin and uneven skin tone.
The most notable research on Arbutin attests to its effectiveness for brightening an uneven skin tone. Research has shown the synthetic version, chemically known as deoxyarbutin, is more effective for brightening than the natural derivative.
Because arbutin works by breaking down into hydroquinone, it also has merit for improving the appearance of dark spots caused by not wearing proper sunscreen protection or bodily changes such as those that occur during pregnancy or due to other factors.
Just as the Paula’s Choice ingredient directory tells us: “Arbutin may be made synthetically or derived from bearberry plant or other plants and exhibits antioxidant activity. Most notably, arbutin has an increasing amount of research attesting to its effectiveness for brightening an uneven skin tone. It also has merit for improving the appearance of dark spots due to unprotected sun exposure or bodily changes such as those that can occur during pregnancy or due to other factors.”
How does Arbutin work and why is it better than other ingredients?
Arbutin interferes with the activity of an enzyme called tyrosinase, which is needed to produce melanin or pigment in the skin,” said Dr. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
You’ll most likely find the ingredient paired with some other extremely potent compounds that act as skin brighteners like vitamin C, phytoceramides or kojic acid.
But why is arbutin better than other anti aging, skin protecting ingredients?
Well, for starters, it’s a lot gentler with the skin. And it’s also very similar to hydroquinone at a molecular level and it’s way more tolerable by people who don’t tolerate lightening ingredients all that well.
Since arbutin’s active component is released slowly, it can be less irritating than other skin-lightening agents and better for those with sensitive skin.
Is Arbutin actually safe?
Many dermatologists have approved the use of arbutin as a skin brightening agent during pregnancy and consider it a safe alternative to straight hydroquinone for treating hyperpigmentation and melasma.
Even so, some people still prefer to play it extremely safe and therefore avoid arbutin while with child. While research points to it being safe, there might be some room for precautions though.
