Alpha arbutin represents a naturally occurring compound derived from hydroquinone.
It is a popular ingredient used in skincare products, mostly due to the fact that it has lots of brightening and lightening properties to it.
Alpha arbutin is known as a tyrosinase inhibitor. This means that this ingredient operates by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme called tyrosinase, responsible for the production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives color to the skin, eyes, and hair.
In skin care, alpha arbutin is known to help minimize the visibility of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and other problems such as uneven skin tone, normally caused by too much sun exposure and damage, hormonal changes, as well as aging.
The skincare products that typically contain alpha arbutin are creams, lotions, and serums.
Alpha arbutin is also known as a better (and safer) alternative to hydroquinone – a more potent skin-lightening ingredient, which has proven to be potentially irritating to the skin.
One of the biggest advantages of alpha arbutin is the fact that it is thought to be a relatively stable ingredient.
This means that it is not likely to degrade over time or oxidize easily due to exposure to air or light, making it extremely suitable and practical to be used in skincare products.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, also known by the name ascorbic acid. It is one of the most important vitamins required for the human body to function properly.
Vitamin C is known to be a very powerful antioxidant, responsible for helping protect cells from damage that is caused by free radicals.
These represent unstable molecules that are produced during metabolism and also in response to some environmental factors, including pollution as well as UV radiation.
Vitamin C helps with the synthesis of collagen, which is a protein needed for healthy skin, tendons, blood vessels, and other tissues.
Many fruits and vegetables are known to be a great source of vitamin C, most of which are citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, etc), berries, broccoli, bell peppers, kiwi, and most leafy green veggies.
If someone doesn’t like taking vitamin C through healthy foods, it is also available as a supplement, in the form of tablets, powders, or capsules.
Vitamin C is also one of the most widely used and popular ingredients used in the skincare industry, due to its beneficial effects on the skin.
It is known that, when applied topically (onto the skin), vitamin C helps brighten the skin complexion, evening out skin tone, and reduce the visible signs of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles.
It has also been shown that vitamin C has some powerful antioxidant properties in it that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals, as well as to promote the synthesis of collagen, which then leads to having a more healthy-looking complexion and overall more youthful appearance of your skin.
However, it is a good thing to know how effective vitamin C really depends on different factors, such as its formulation, concentration, and others.
If you want to include the use of vitamin C in your skincare routine, it is highly advisable to consult with a dermatologist or a skincare specialist to give you professional advice on how to use it carefully and effectively.
Is Alpha Arbutin better than Vitamin C?
When comparing alpha arbutin and vitamin C, considering their overall beneficial properties, it is really difficult to tell if one is better than the other.
Actually, it depends on different factors, some of which include individual skin type, skin concerns, and general preferences so there isn’t a clear answer as to which is better.
Both of these ingredients are an effective and powerful asset in almost anyone’s skincare routine, given that they deal with issues such as discoloration, and improve the skin complexion overall.
Alpha arbutin, as well as vitamin C, work using their different mechanisms and have advantages that make both of them unique.
On one hand, alpha arbutin is known as a tyrosinase inhibitor, which targets the production of melanin specifically.
This makes it extremely effective in terms of reducing the visibility of hyperpigmentation, acne scars, dark spots, and generally uneven skin tone that is caused by factors such as sun damage or hormonal changes in the body.
Alpha arbutin is also known to be an ingredient that is relatively stable, so it’s less likely to cause the skin any further irritation, especially when compared to other ingredients that have skin-lightening properties.
Vitamin C, on the other hand, is an ingredient that contains potent antioxidant properties, which can help protect the skin from environmental damage.
In addition, vitamin C is largely involved in the process known as collagen synthesis.
It is popular due to its skin brightening properties, helping to even out skin tone, minimizing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and imperfections, and improving the skin overall, causing it to look healthier and more radiant.
Because of its collagen-boosting properties, Vitamin C also provides consumers with additional benefits for the skin, helping the skin to look firmer, fresh, and more youthful.
Benefits of using alpha arbutin
Alpha arbutin is known to be a relatively stable, safe, and effective skincare ingredient, which helps boost the overall health and appearance of the skin.
However, it is important to mention that the effectiveness of this skincare ingredient depends on the formulation, concentration, and other factors and that individual results might vary.
Here are some of the benefits of using alpha arbutin in your skincare routine:
Skin brightening: Because alpha arbutin has been proven to have some potent skin-lightening properties, it has been quite a popular ingredient in skincare products recently.
Its brightening effect on the skin causes the overall improvement of the skin complexion and skin tone, thus making the skin look more even-toned and glowy.
Reducing hyperpigmentation: The production of melanin in the body requires the activity of the enzyme called tyrosinase.
Alpha arbutin inhibits this activity, which then leads to the appearance of hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and acne scarring. It also reduces the visibility of skin irritations caused by sun damage, hormonal disbalance, and others.
Gentle on the skin: Considering the fact that alpha arbutin is known to be a relatively stable ingredient, it is more suitable for people who have sensitive skin.
It is also less likely to cause some skin irritations, and it is more gentle on the skin, especially when compared to some other skincare ingredients that have lightening properties.
Antioxidant properties: Free radicals are known as unstable molecules produced during the metabolism process. These environmental problems and factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and others can damage your skin, causing it to be more prone to irritations and breakouts.
Alpha arbutin can come in handy in this situation because it contains plenty of antioxidant properties, which can help protect the skin from this kind of damage and soothe the already existing irritations.
Moisturizing effects: Among other benefits that alpha arbutin has to offer, it is also good to mention that it is formulated in such a way that it contains lots of moisturizing properties.
This makes alpha arbutin a great “tool” to help with hydrating and nourishing the skin while improving its overall texture and suppleness and making it look fresh and glowy.
Complements other skincare ingredients: It is a common practice to combine skincare products when doing almost any type of skincare routine.
Alpha arbutin is a very adaptable and versatile ingredient because it goes really well when used with other skincare ingredients.
It is normally combined with vitamin C and niacinamide, enhancing their effects on dealing with problems such as skin discoloration and giving the complexion of your skin an evened-out, more youthful look.
Benefits of using vitamin C
Vitamin C is another extremely popular ingredient used in the skincare industry.
It is well-known for its beneficial properties and a wide range of advantages it provides for the skin.
Some of the benefits of using vitamin C as an ingredient in skincare products are the following:
Antioxidant properties: Lots of people know that vitamin C is a very potent antioxidant. This means that it helps the skin be protected and recovered from the damage caused by free radicals.
The antioxidant activity that vitamin C promotes can also be helpful in dealing with the prevention of premature aging, because it successfully reduces the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and wrinkles, leaving the skin looking more fresh, youthful, and hydrated.
Brightening and lightening: Vitamin C is known for its skin-brightening effects, as it can help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, resulting in a more radiant complexion.
Collagen synthesis: Vitamin C is believed to be of great importance for collagen synthesis. It is a protein that gives structural support to the skin while maintaining its elasticity and overall firmness.
If you use vitamin C as a part of your skincare regimen on a regular basis, it can help with the stimulation of collagen production. This leads to the skin looking more youthful, firmer and revitalized.
Sun protection: The sun and its UV radiation can cause a great deal of damage to our skin. Vitamin C is known to have certain properties that can protect the skin against UV rays.
It is by no means a substitute for sunblock, but it goes well with any type of sun protection product because it helps neutralize free radicals created by UV radiation, which then leads to sun damage in the form of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and other more serious skin conditions.
Skin hydration properties: Another benefit of including vitamin C as a step in your skincare routine is its hydrating and nourishing properties.
Vitamin C is known as a rich moisturizer, which is responsible for improving the overall texture of your skin while keeping it hydrated for a long time.
For this reason, vitamin C is especially beneficial for those who have extremely dry, dehydrated, and flaky skin.
Anti-inflammatory effects: Vitamin C soothes and calms the skin in cases of inflammation. Its calming, anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness, irritation, and general sensitivity of the skin.
Uses of vitamin C outside skincare
Vitamin C, which is also called ascorbic acid, is a nutrient that is not only beneficial for skincare but is also versatile and has plenty of other uses aside from being used in skincare. Some of the common uses of vitamin C outside of skincare include:
Nutritional supplement: Individuals who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet know that they need a good supplement that will absorb the iron from their plant-based meals.
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of the type of iron found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Consuming vitamin C with iron-rich foods can help improve its absorption, particularly for those who are at risk of iron deficiency.
Vitamin C comes in handy as a very important nutrient in this case and many others.
It is an essential ingredient for the growth, development, and repair of tissues in the body, as well as for the synthesis of collagen, providing structure to the skin, bones, blood vessels, and other tissues.
It is a good nutritional supplement to have in case you’re prone to getting a cold or to improve your immune system overall.
Immune support: Vitamin C plays an important role in supporting the immune system.
It acts as an antioxidant by enhancing the function of immune cells (e.g. white blood cells) as well as protecting the body against oxidative stress, which is known to have a weakening effect on the immune system.
If you regularly take vitamin C as a supplement or through foods that generally contain this vitamin, you will feel stronger, healthier, and not as prone to getting cold or flu.
The antioxidant properties lessen the negative effects free radicals have on the body and also help reduce the risk of developing more severe health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic illnesses.
Food preservation: As an antioxidant whose main purpose is to prevent oxidation and food spoilage, vitamin C is often used as a food preservative as well, especially for certain kinds of fruit and vegetables.
The ascorbic acid and salts of vitamin C are used to help extend the shelf life of some foods as well as to improve their quality.
Wound healing: Because vitamin C has the most important role in collagen synthesis, it is also a good ingredient to help with wound healing.
It helps promote the healing of minor cuts, bruises, and wounds by participating in the formation of new connective tissue.
Can you use alpha arbutin and vitamin C together?
Yes – provided that you follow instructions on how to use alpha arbutin and vitamin C together. These two ingredients are normally safe to be used together as a part of your skincare routine.
Both vitamin C and alpha arbutin are ingredients that are most popular for their brightening effects on the skin and their power to even out the skin tone perfectly.
Besides, they complement each other’s beneficial properties extremely well together.
Here is some advice on how to properly use alpha arbutin and vitamin C together:
Do a patch test: As with any other skincare ingredients, it is highly advisable to do a patch test on your skin prior to using alpha arbutin and vitamin C together on it regularly.
Perform this test by applying a small amount of these two ingredients combined on a small surface of the skin and wait up to 48 hours to see if there’s any skin reaction to it.
If there are any signs of discomfort on the skin or irritations, discontinue the use immediately.
Follow the instructions: It is always essential to carefully read the instructions on how to use skincare products such as alpha arbutin and vitamin C.
Not only do the instructions tell you how often you should use these ingredients and in what amount, but they also help you properly use the ingredients to obtain the most effective results in the end.
Layer the products in order: Generally speaking, it is usually recommended to start by applying a thinner layer of the product of the lighter consistency first and then follow up with a thicker, heavier product.
In the case of using products that have alpha arbutin and vitamin C, you should start with a serum or a toner, because these are lighter in consistency.
After that, apply a product that is thicker and heavier, such as a moisturizer.
Use sun protection: Using both ingredients can do wonders for your skin, but they also might leave it more sensitive to the sun.
For this reason, it is essential to apply a high SPF level of sunscreen after using alpha arbutin and vitamin C in your morning skincare routine.
Consult a dermatologist: In case you need more information on the safety of using alpha arbutin and vitamin C together because you’re on medication, pregnant, breastfeeding, or you simply have sensitive skin, you should speak to a licensed skincare professional to give you more advice.
All in all, the choice of using alpha arbutin over vitamin C and vice versa, or even using them together in skincare depends on various factors such as overall preference, skin type, or particular skin concerns an individual might have.
Formulation, concentration, and skin sensitivity are factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing between using either of these two ingredients.
They are generally safe to use, both separately and together, and they can be incredibly beneficial for your skin, due to their brightening, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties.
Nevertheless, it is not a bad idea to consult with a dermatologist to get more professional advice on whether you should use them and how.
Don’t miss these topics:
- Can I Use Azelaic Acid and Vitamin C Together?
- Marula Oil vs Rosehip Oil
- Lactic Acid vs Salicylic Acid
