What is Skin Brightening?
Skin brightening refers to the restoration of the natural vibrancy of the skin. It is different from skin lightening as it does not involve the bleaching of skin to make the shade of your skin lighter. Although, with some products, you might see your skin lightening by a shade or two, but this change is mostly because of the removal of tanning for hyperpigmentation and not the change of your natural skin color. Over time, our skin gets infested with loads of issues like sun damage, acne, acne spots, acne scars, blackheads, whiteheads, uneven skin texture, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation- all of which leads to our skin looking dull and lifeless. But no worries, most of these are curable! And in this journey of brightening your skin, Alpha Arbutin can be your best friend! Check out this article to know how to use Alpha Arbutin for skin to get back your natural vibrance and glow!
What is Alpha Arbutin?
Alpha Arbutin is a naturally occurring hydroquinone (a popular skin-lightening agent) derivative derived from the dried leaves of blueberry, cranberry, and bearberry plants. It acts as a skin lightener, eliminating pigmentation and spots produced by breakouts or sun damage.
Your skin color is determined by the quantity of melanin produced in your melanocyte cells, which is triggered by an enzyme called tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is triggered every time your skin is exposed to UV radiation. By decreasing the pigmentation process produced by UV radiation, Alpha Arbutin inhibits the action of tyrosinase. This keeps dark spots and tan at bay on your skin.
How does Alpha Arbutin Help in Skin Brightening?
Because it is a derivative of Hydroquinone, Alpha Arbutin is the ideal component for skin brightening and spot fading. The amount of melanin on your skin determines your skin tone; the more melanin, the darker the skin. However, melanin serves as a protective layer against the sun’s damaging rays, but too much of it can result in an uneven skin tone, which can lead to hyperpigmentation.
Alpha Arbutin acts by blocking a melanocyte enzyme called tyrosinase. Melanocytes are responsible for the generation of melanin, which is responsible for the pigment levels that give the skin its color. To put it another way, less tyrosinase equals less pigment, which means less discoloration and unpleasant dark patches.
7 Easy & Effective Ways To Use Alpha Arbutin For Skin Brightening
Let’s dive straight into the 7 Easy & Effective Ways To Use Alpha Arbutin For Skin Brightening-
- Using Alpha Arbutin Twice Daily for 3 Months: Making Alpha Arbutin an essential component of your skincare routine will go a long way. You can apply a good 1% or 2% concentration of Alpha Arbutin serum to your skin after gently cleansing and toning it once in the daytime and once before you go to bed. Within weeks you’ll see noticeable changes to your skin. Alpha Arbutin can do wonders to your skin! But you are advised to not use it for more than 3 months in one go.
- Using Alpha Arbutin with Vitamin C: Alpha Arbutin for skin brightening is a popular choice but so is Vitamin C. Both have shown tremendous results in tackling dullness and hyperpigmentation so what if you combined them both? Alpha Arbutin and Vitamin C work in different ways and using them together could unleash both of their benefits giving you the flawless skin of your dreams!
- Using Alpha Arbutin with Niacinamide: Both the Alpha Arbutin and Niacinamide serums are water-based, lightweight serums that mix easily. Niacinamide is believed to boost collagen formation, making the skin firmer, healthier, and more robust. It also increases cell turnover, which exfoliates the dull, hyperpigmented skin cells on the surface and reveals brighter, more even tones beneath the skin. This activity benefits Alpha Arbutin by amplifying its effects.
- Using Alpha Arbutin with AHAs and BHAs: AHAs and BHAs are direct acids that can exfoliate the skin at the cellular level and help you get rid of hyperpigmented areas and spots. Layering such acids with Alpha Arbutin can help you absorb the component more effectively and get the most out of it.
- Using Alpha Arbutin with Retinol: Retinol is the new superstar of the skincare industry. Used topically in very low concentrations, Retinol and Retinoids increase cell proliferation and cell turnover, resulting in reverse aging of your skin! You can pair retinol with Alpha Arbutin to double the benefits and fasten your skin brightening journey but also get a dermatologist’s prescription before mixing these two ingredients.
- Using Alpha Arbutin with Hyaluronic Acid: Hydration is the key to healthy skin! A lack of moisture in your skin will make it dull and even age it prematurely. Also, other skincare products penetrate better into hydrated skin. Hyaluronic acid is known for its magical hydrating properties so pairing it with other skincare products that might cause drying is a must! Alpha Arbutin is not drying in nature but some extra good hydration could take your skin’s health to the next level!
- Always layering Alpha Arbutin with Sunscreen: Alpha Arbutin is heat sensitive and photosensitive and hence to make the best use of this incredible skincare chemical, you are advised to wear and protect Alpha Arbutin with a high-quality sunscreen (over SPF 30). Applying sunscreen will also protect your skin against future sun damage. There is nothing more damaging to your skin than UV rays and hence protection against UV rays is non-negotiable.
Conclusion
One of the safest lightning substances available today is Alpha Arbutin. Alpha Arbutin for skin brightening is now one of the most popular choices in the world! It is a great component for treating dark spots, pigmentation, and age spots on all skin types. It’s vital to keep in mind that pigmentation fading takes time, and you can only judge the results after regular application. Also, if you have sensitive or aging skin, you should first contact a dermatologist before proceeding with the procedure.
