Under-eye lightening is something a lot of people will want to achieve.
Whether you are suffering from dark circles, uneven pigmentation, or puffiness, using Arbutin under the eyes is an option that many people might think about.
Can You Use the Ordinary Alpha Arbutin Under Eyes?
Alpha arbutin is a natural and safer ingredient to be used on the under-eye skin. It is obtained from bearberry leaves and helps to remove the unwanted dark circles as well as other imperfections.
Alpha arbutin acts as an alternative to hydroquinone, which has been considered toxic and dangerous for human use when applied topically.
Alpha arbutin reduces the melanin levels in the skin, which results in a radiant and lighter complexion.
This also increases the circulation of blood in the capillaries present under the eyes, thus reducing any puffiness or swelling that may occur due to water retention.
In addition, alpha-arbutin also contains antioxidant properties that help protect against free radicals in the body that can result in premature aging of the skin.
Alpha arbutin is available both over-the-counter and by prescription.
Many people use alpha-arbutin in combination with other ingredients like caffeine, vitamin C or retinol for better results.
Can You Mix Arbutin With Other Products From the Ordinary?
Yes, you can. If you’re looking to combine products and reduce the number of steps in your skincare routine, using them together is a great way to get the benefits of both. You would use all of the products together at once and follow with your moisturizer.
With regards to The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, that’s actually meant to be used as a serum and would be applied before any moisturizer.
If you’re looking for something more hydrating for the nighttime, we recommend adding The Ordinary’s Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%.
That would help to exfoliate the skin and maintain a brighter complexion overnight.
Can You Use the Ordinary Alpha Arbutin for Acne Scars?
Alpha arbutin treatment is a skincare solution that can help reduce the appearance of scars caused by acne, chickenpox, surgery, or other causes. It claims to reduce the depth and appearance of scars by inhibiting the formation of new collagen fibers.
This product is often recommended as a substitute for hydroquinone treatments because it works without causing excessive side effects.
Some people report that it also reduces the appearance of brown spots on the skin.
Can You Use the Ordinary Alpha Arbutin on the Chest Area?
Yes, you can use the ordinary alpha-arbutin on the chest area. It will be helpful in reducing the appearance of skin discoloration and acne on your chest.
However, if you have a sensitive skin type, try testing a small amount of the product first to see if you experience any adverse reaction.
Can You Use the Ordinary Alpha Arbutin on Your Hands?
Yes, you can use this on your hands. However, we would recommend using hand cream to help smooth and moisturize your hands after using the Alpha Arbutin.
It does not have any reported side effects but you need to be more mindful when using this ingredient on your hands for whitening because it may cause irritation and dryness.
You should always perform a patch test before going all out with the Alpha Arbutin treatment on your hands to make sure there will be no allergic reaction.
How Does Alpha Arbutin Work for Darker Skin Tones?
Alpha-arbutin works for darker skin tones by inhibiting the enzyme Tyrosinase, which is responsible for the conversion of tyrosine to melanin. When tyrosinase activity is inhibited, the amount of melanin produced by the skin is significantly reduced.
In addition to this mechanism, alpha-arbutin also acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the skin that may contribute to hyperpigmentation (the technical term for dark spots).
Although alpha-arbutin can be effective for lightening dark spots on lighter skin tones, it does not work well on darker skin tones because there are no studies showing its efficacy for darker skin tones.
In fact, there are some concerns that alpha-arbutin may actually be sensitizing to darker skin tones.
If using alpha-arbutin for darker skin tones, it’s best to apply a product containing this ingredient at night, as it can cause irritation and redness if applied during the day.
Alpha-arbutin is found in many complexion lighteners and is most effective when used regularly for a few weeks.
Can Arbutin Be Mixed With Other Ingredients?
When it comes to mixing Arbutin with other compounds, it is always important to check that product descriptions are up to date and that the combination of ingredients will not cancel out the effects of each other.
This is because Arbutin can be sensitive to some preservatives and other compounds which may cause it to lose its effectiveness.
Although some of the more commonly used preservatives such as methylparaben, Propylparaben, and phenoxyethanol may work well with Arbutin, there are a few others that you should avoid when adding this ingredient to your skincare products.
Are There Any Side Effects to Using Alpha Arbutin?
Treatments containing Alpha Arbutin are generally considered safe for use because no major side effects have been reported.
There are rare cases of hypersensitivity reactions, but these are usually mild when they occur and can be easily treated with topical corticosteroid cream or an antihistamine.
Alpha Arbutin has also been known to cause allergic reactions in some users.
If you notice any unusual symptoms following the application of an Alpha Arbutin-containing product, contact your doctor immediately.
How Does Alpha Arbutin Help With Dark Circles?
Alpha Arbutin is a natural substance that comes from bearberry leaves. It can reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes by reducing the formation of melanin, which causes darkness.
Alpha Arbutin is also a potent antioxidant and can help protect skin cells from sun damage. Here are the ways in which Alpha Arbutin helps with dark circles:
1. Reduces melanin production
Alpha Arbutin reduces the production of melanin, a pigment that causes eye discoloration.
The production of this pigment is increased when you don’t get enough sleep or when you spend too much time in the sun.
2. Prevents future damage
Alpha Arbutin is a potent antioxidant that helps prevent skin damage caused by free radicals and environmental toxins.
This helps prevent future skin discoloration and keeps your skin looking young and healthy.
3. Reduce oxidative stress
Over time, stress can cause cellular DNA damage, leading to dark spots and other signs of aging.
Alpha Arbutin works to reduce oxidative stress on your cells, helping them to maintain their structure and function.
4. Inhibits tyrosinase activity
It inhibits the enzyme called tyrosinase that is responsible for melanin formation.
A drop in tyrosinase activity means less melanin formation, which translates into a lighter complexion.
5. Reduces melanosome transfer
Melanosomes are tiny packets of pigments that carry melanin to keratinocytes (skin cells).
Alpha arbutin reduces the transfer rate of these packets from one skin cell to another, thereby reducing pigmentation of the skin.
This way, it makes dark circles less visible and also slows down pigmentation of the skin due to aging or other reasons.
6. Accelerates epidermal regeneration
Skin regeneration happens when old cells slough off and new cells take their place.
It is also known as the desquamation process whose speed depends on several factors including age, health, lifestyle, diet, and environment.
It takes approximately 28 days for this skin renewal cycle to complete and it has been observed that topical application of Alpha arbutin accelerates this process by as much as eight days.
Tips on Using Alpha Arbutin as an Ingredient
Alpha arbutin is a skin-lightening agent that is used in a variety of cosmetics products, including moisturizers, anti-aging serums, and foundations.
This ingredient is derived from bearberry plants and has been used for centuries.
Testers have reported that alpha-arbutin can help even out skin tone and reduce discoloration.
It may also be beneficial for fading brown spots, freckles, and age spots. Here are tips for using alpha-arbutin as an ingredient:
1. Know what it does
Alpha arbutin may improve the appearance of skin by reducing discoloration and improving the texture of your complexion.
It may also improve the appearance of dark under-eye circles.
2. Choose products wisely
Avoid overusing alpha-arbutin as a single ingredient if you have sensitive skin because this ingredient can cause irritation, redness, or swelling if applied too frequently or in high concentrations.
However, some people with darker skin tones say they have no problem using this ingredient on its own in their daily regimen.
3. Cleanse
Cleanse your face thoroughly before applying an alpha arbutin-containing product to prevent any bacteria or dirt from interfering with its effectiveness.
Consider using a gentle facial scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells before applying topical alpha arbutin.
4. Test
Test your skin’s tolerance for alpha-arbutin by applying just a small amount of it to one area of your forehead or cheek at night.
How to Use Arbutin With Other Skin Lighteners?
Arbutin is a natural skin lightener, but it is not the only product you can use to improve your complexion.
This section describes how to properly use arbutin with other skin-lightening agents.
Niacinamide (B3)
This ingredient will reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation on the face.
It has been shown to be more effective than arbutin at lightening the skin.
Alpha hydroxy acids
Glycolic acid and lactic acid are both excellent exfoliating agents that will remove dead skin cells from your face, revealing newer and lighter layers beneath them.
AHAs have also been shown to improve the appearance of sun-damaged or aged skin.
They can also be combined with niacinamide for synergistic effects.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that will help make your skin appear brighter and younger-looking.
It can be used in conjunction with niacinamide or alone to give you the results you desire.
Chrysin
This is one of the active compounds found in honey, which has long been used as a natural skin lightener by many different cultures.
It produces similar results to arbutin but works somewhat better at fading dark spots on the skin.
Final Thoughts
You can use the ordinary alpha arbutin under the eyes. However, how well it works will depend on you—all people are different, and thus, user responses to this product will also vary.
For example, some users said they experienced mild tingling discomfort while using this product, although all agreed that the tingling sensation was minimal and went away after a few minutes of use.
