Alpha Arbutin
Alpha Arbutin uses
Alpha arbutin is known to be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries for its skin whitening, treatment of hyperpigmentation, and as a safer alternative to hydroquinone. It may also have antioxidant properties that may protect the skin from free radicals. harm.
Alpha Arbutin is used to treat solar freckles, freckles, melasma and other forms of pigmentation, resulting in a more even skin tone. And we know that hyperpigmentation can lead to excess melanin, so for this reason, creams and serums contain up to 2% alpha arbutin, and body creams contain 0.5% alpha arbutin.
Alpha arbutin significantly reduced melanin synthesis in cultured human melanocytes and a three-dimensional human skin model, with melanin synthesis reduced to 40% of that in the control group, demonstrating its efficacy as a skin whitening agent without affecting cell viability.
The mechanism of action of alpha arbutin
The mechanism of action of alpha arbutin as a whitening agent is mainly to reduce the production of melanin by competitively inhibiting tyrosinase, but does not affect the expression of tyrosinase mRNA gene. It is a more potent tyrosinase inhibitor than arbutin.
Alpha Arbutin directly inhibits the enzyme activity of tyrosinase, which is essential for the synthesis of melanin. Tyrosinase catalyzes the first two steps of melanin production: tyrosinase hydroxylation to l-dopamine and l-dopamine oxidation to dopaquinone. By inhibiting tyrosinase, alpha arbutin reduces melanin formation in melanocytes.
Alpha arbutin does not affect tyrosinase mRNA gene expression. This means that although alpha arbutin inhibits tyrosinase activity, it does not reduce enzyme production at a genetic level.
The reduction of melanin can lighten skin tone and help treat pigmentation disorders. The efficacy of alpha arbutin in reducing melanin synthesis has been confirmed in cultured human melanocytes and three-dimensional human skin models. It can effectively reduce melanin synthesis.
Safety and supervision of alpha arbutin
Alpha Arbutin is safe for topical use in cosmetics. However, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety limits its use in the EU at concentrations of 2% in face creams and 0.5% in body lotions.
