Actives such as Alpha Arbutin are revolutionising skin care serums and products due to their ability to target specific skin problems such as age spots and an uneven skin tone. Alpha Arbutin, is a very popular active used for the treatment of pigmentation problems such as age spots which cause an uneven skin tone. Whilst most people search for serums for fine lines and wrinkles, ignoring an uneven skin tone and dark patches including age spots can add years to your perceived age.

Age spots, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation problems are common skin concerns that occur due to the excessive production of the skin’s pigment, melanin. (1) Long-term sun exposure, hormonal changes, inflammation, and ageing increase the skin’s melanin production by the pigment producing cells, melanocytes, leading to age spots, dark patches on the face and body, and in extreme cases, melasma. (2) This excessive melanin is unevenly distributed resulting in the outward appearance of excessive pigmentation, age spots and uneven skin tone. The enzyme responsible for pigment production is called tyrosinase and it is this enzyme which is the target for many treatments for uneven skin tone.

What is Alpha Arbutin?
Arbutin is a natural compound found in Bearberry, Pomegranate, and Mulberry. Alpha Arbutin is the synthesised version of Arbutin as it is more stable and effective in comparison to Arbutin.

Alpha Arbutin has been found to have a strong effect on inhibiting tyrosinase which is the enzyme responsible for pigment production. In a human skin model, Alpha Arbutin reduced pigment production by 60% when compared to the control group. (3)

In a study involving 80 people, topical application of Alpha Arbutin helped to fade dark spots and pigmentation markedly, and this was achieved just after a month, helping to achieve an even skin tone. (4)

Alpha Arbutin’s skin brightening benefits helps a number of skin concerns which include:

It helps to reduce pigment formation and hence it is beneficial for age spots and an uneven skin tone.

It helps to fade acne scars and discolouration without any irritation and, so again, it helps to achieve an even skin tone

It fades age spots, also known as liver spots. A three-month study revealed that more than 80% of the participants who applied Alpha Arbutin serum reported noticeable reductions in the appearance of age or liver spots. (4)

Its ability to fade pigmentation may also be invaluable for sunspots on the face and body

Alpha Arbutin displays antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to protect skin against free radical damage.

DoSe Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum
Unlike many Alpha Arbutin creams and topicals, DoSe Alpha Arbutin serum is a carefully formulated serum for an uneven skin tone. Aside from containing Alpha Arbutin, a natural skin brightener, this serum for uneven skin tone also contains Kojic Acid.

Kojic Acid is derived from the fermentation of by-products from mushrooms. Kojic Acid is available in serums and creams, and it works as a high performance depigmenting agent, penetrating into skin to fade UV-induced pigmentation, acne marks and age spots.

DoSe Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum also contains Niacinamide, an all-round hero skin care ingredient with multiple benefits for skin health. Whilst Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid work to inhibit pigment formation and depigment cells, Niacinamide blocks the accumulation of pigment in the outer skin cells preventing skin darkening. (5)

Once of the most difficult skin disorders to treat is melasma, a condition characterised by facial hyperpigmentation. In a double-blind clinical trial, eight weeks of using Niacinamide serum was found to be as effective as other treatments without any side effects. (6)

To summarise, DoSe Alpha Arbutin 2% and Kojic Acid 1% Serum naturally brightens uneven skin tone, age spots, liver spots, solar spots, and post blemish marks effectively and without irritation. DoSe Alpha Arbutin and Kojic Acid Serum also provides antioxidant protection to help achieve a more even toned, radiant, younger looking skin.

1. Ebanks JP, Wickett RR, Boissy RE. Mechanisms regulating skin pigmentation: the rise and fall of complexion coloration. Int J Mol Sci. 2009;10(9):4066-87.
2. Costin GE, Hearing VJ. Human skin pigmentation: melanocytes modulate skin color in response to stress. FASEB J. 2007 Apr;21(4):976-94.
3. Sugimoto K, Nishimura T, Nomura K, et al. Inhibitory effects of alpha-arbutin on melanin sythnesis in cultured human melanoma cells and a three-dimensional human skin model. Biol Pharma Bull. 2004 Apr;27(4):510-4.
4. Product monograph: Alpha-Arbutin. Pentapharm. August 2002. 5. http://www.the-dermatologist.com/content/treating-difficult-melasma-cases. April 25, 2014.
5. Navarrete-Solis J, Castanedo-Cazares JP, Torres-Alvarez B, et al. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial of niacinamide 4% versus hydroquinone 4% in the treatment of melasma. Dermatol Res Pract. 2011;2011:379173.