Have you ever heard of alpha arbutin?
It’s a natural derivative of hydroquinone, but it’s safer and has fewer side effects.
Alpha arbutin is also known as glycolic acid glucoside or 1,4-dihydroxybenzene-2,6-disulfonic acid.
This ingredient is popular among those who want to lighten their skin tone naturally without the use of harsh chemicals.
If you’re looking into using alpha arbutin, then this article will help you understand how it works and what ingredients pair well with it!
Should you use hyaluronic acid or alpha arbutin?
How do you know which one is right for you?
Here are 3 tips on how to find your favorite:
1. Consider your skin type
Hyaluronic acid is suitable for all skin types, while alpha arbutin may be best suited for combination or oily skin types.
2. Consider your budget
Alpha arbutin is cheaper than hyaluronic acid and therefore more accessible for people with tighter budgets.
This doesn’t mean that it’s less effective than hyaluronic acid — it just means that more people can afford it!
3. Look at your other products in your routine
If you’re using other products with AHAs or BHAs (which are also exfoliants), then alpha arbutin may be a better choice as it has similar benefits to those acids without being quite as harsh on the skin (which means less irritation).
Can you use alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid together?
You can use both alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid together.
While they work in different ways, it’s perfectly safe to use them at the same time.
Alpha arbutin is a skin brightener that helps fade dark spots and discoloration (melasma).
Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that plumps up the skin and keeps it hydrated.
You might also hear about hydroquinone, which is another type of skin-brightening ingredient you could use with either of these ingredients.
Hydroquinone can cause some serious side effects if you’re allergic to it or if you use too much of it for too long, though—so be careful!
How to use alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid together
Here are 6 steps on how to use alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid together:
1. Cleanse
Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
2. Apply alpha arbutin
Apply a thin layer of alpha arbutin cream to your face, neck, chest, and hands or wherever you want to use it.
3. Wait for 15-30 minutes
Wait at least 15 minutes before applying any other products on top of the alpha arbutin cream.
If using other products that contain retinol or Vitamin A, wait 30 minutes before applying the alpha arbutin cream.
4. Apply hyaluronic acid
Apply hyaluronic acid serum over the top of your alpha arbutin cream and allow both of these ingredients to absorb into your skin before applying any additional products.
5. Continue with your skincare routine
Continue with your normal daily skincare routine including moisturizer if needed and makeup if desired.
6. Use an SPF
Use an SPF during the day when spending time outdoors in direct sunlight as this can make your skin more sensitive to light exposure and increase sensitivity to sunburns and sun damage over time if unprotected from UVA/UVB rays while outside on sunny days!
Side Effects of Using Hyaluronic Acid and Alpha Arbutin
The side effects of using alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid together are comparable to the side effects of using each separately.
- Skin irritation and redness (1)
- Itching or burning sensation on the skin (2)
Alpha Arbutin:
- Skin irritation, burning sensation, or itchiness (3)
Which acid goes well with Alpha Arbutin?
Hyaluronic acid is highly compatible with other acids, such as Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Salicylic Acid.
Alpha Arbutin is also compatible with Tretinoin.
Final Thoughts
Hyaluronic acid’s impact on the skin is undeniable, especially when paired with niacinamide and vitamin C.
Alpha arbutin might be the next big thing in the world of skincare, but we won’t know for sure until more independent studies come out.
Either way, both ingredients are certainly worth a try!
