What is the difference between alpha arbutin and beta arbutin?

Both are glucosides of hydroquinone, but the sugar is attached in a different position. Beta arbutin is the form found in bearberry leaves. Alpha arbutin is produced commercially and is the form most often used in modern serums at levels up to 2%.

How much alpha arbutin should I add to a serum?

Up to 2% is the commonly used level for face products, based on the EU SCCS opinion. For a 100 g serum that is up to 2 g. Body lotions are usually kept at 0.5% or below. Always weigh on a scale with 0.01 g accuracy.

Is alpha arbutin water or oil soluble?

Alpha arbutin is water soluble. Dissolve it in the water phase of a cream or directly in a water-based serum. It won't dissolve in oils, so in an oil serum it will stay gritty or settle at the bottom.

Can I mix alpha arbutin with niacinamide?

Yes, many serums combine the two. Both dissolve in water and work in a similar pH range. Keep the total formula balanced, add a preservative and patch test the finished product before regular use.

Why did my alpha arbutin serum turn brown?

Colour change usually means the product is breaking down, often from heat, light, a pH that's too high or too low, or contamination. Store serums in opaque bottles away from sunlight, check the pH and discard any batch that darkens or smells off.

Can I sell creams made with alpha arbutin in India?

Finished cosmetics sold in India must meet BIS standards and CDSCO rules, including labelling and, for many products, registration or licensing. Check the current requirements before selling, and avoid making medical or skin-colour claims on the label.

Alpha arbutin

Alpha arbutin is a water-soluble white powder used in creams and serums aimed at uneven skin tone and dark-looking spots. It is a glucoside of hydroquinone, CAS 84380-01-8. Azlok sells alpha arbutin as a cosmetic raw ingredient for formulators and DIY skincare makers.

अंतिम अपडेट 7 नव॰ 2026

आज Alpha arbutin का दाम →Read in English

विवरण

फ़ॉर्मूला: C12H16O7
CAS नंबर: 84380-01-8
ग्रेड: Cosmetic

प्रोडक्ट और पैक साइज़

प्रोडक्ट	ग्रेड	पैक	दाम (GST सहित)	₹ प्रति kg
Alpha Arbutin	Cosmetic	—	₹989	—

What is alpha arbutin?

Alpha arbutin is a cosmetic ingredient made by joining hydroquinone to a glucose molecule. It is the alpha form of arbutin, which is related to the beta arbutin found in bearberry leaves. Commercial alpha arbutin is produced, not extracted from plants.

Formula: C12H16O7, molar mass 272.25 g/mol
CAS number: 84380-01-8
Appearance: white to off-white crystalline powder
Solubility: dissolves well in water, so it goes into the water phase of a formula

Grades and pack sizes at Azlok

Azlok lists Alpha Arbutin as a cosmetic raw ingredient. The name doesn't state a pack size, so check the weight on the product page. Because it's used at low percentages, a small pack covers many test batches. See today's price per kg.

Common uses

Face serums and creams aimed at uneven-looking skin tone
Products for dark-looking spots and marks, often alongside niacinamide or vitamin C derivatives
Body lotions and underarm creams in some brands

Treat it as a cosmetic ingredient. Results vary by formula and skin, so describe your product neutrally and avoid promising change in skin colour.

How to use it

Alpha arbutin is typically used at up to 2% in face products. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) considered it safe at up to 2% in face creams and up to 0.5% in body lotions, so many formulators stay within those levels.

Weigh it accurately on a 0.01 g scale; a 100 g batch at 2% needs only 2 g.
Dissolve it in the water phase, or in a little distilled water at the cool-down stage.
Suppliers commonly recommend keeping the finished product around pH 3.5–6.5; check with pH strips or a meter.
Add a suitable broad-spectrum preservative and store in an opaque pump bottle.

Product	Typical level
Face serum or cream	Up to 2%
Body lotion	Up to 0.5%

Safety and storage

Wear gloves and avoid breathing the dust when weighing. Keep it out of your eyes. Very high heat and strongly acidic or alkaline conditions can break it down, so don't add it to boiling water.

Store in an airtight, light-proof container in a cool, dry place.
Keep away from children.
Throw out finished products that change colour or smell.

Patch test any homemade product on a small area of the inner arm for 24–48 hours before wider use. If you plan to sell finished cosmetics in India, they need to meet BIS standards and CDSCO cosmetic rules, so check those before you launch.

Choosing the right grade and pack

Buy a small pack first and test your formula for stability over a few weeks. Once your recipe is settled and you're making batches regularly, move up to a larger pack and keep it sealed between uses. Ask for a certificate of analysis if you're making products for sale. For 25 kg and above, send a bulk inquiry.

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

What is the difference between alpha arbutin and beta arbutin?: Both are glucosides of hydroquinone, but the sugar is attached in a different position. Beta arbutin is the form found in bearberry leaves. Alpha arbutin is produced commercially and is the form most often used in modern serums at levels up to 2%.
How much alpha arbutin should I add to a serum?: Up to 2% is the commonly used level for face products, based on the EU SCCS opinion. For a 100 g serum that is up to 2 g. Body lotions are usually kept at 0.5% or below. Always weigh on a scale with 0.01 g accuracy.
Is alpha arbutin water or oil soluble?: Alpha arbutin is water soluble. Dissolve it in the water phase of a cream or directly in a water-based serum. It won't dissolve in oils, so in an oil serum it will stay gritty or settle at the bottom.
Can I mix alpha arbutin with niacinamide?: Yes, many serums combine the two. Both dissolve in water and work in a similar pH range. Keep the total formula balanced, add a preservative and patch test the finished product before regular use.
Why did my alpha arbutin serum turn brown?: Colour change usually means the product is breaking down, often from heat, light, a pH that's too high or too low, or contamination. Store serums in opaque bottles away from sunlight, check the pH and discard any batch that darkens or smells off.
Can I sell creams made with alpha arbutin in India?: Finished cosmetics sold in India must meet BIS standards and CDSCO rules, including labelling and, for many products, registration or licensing. Check the current requirements before selling, and avoid making medical or skin-colour claims on the label.