Alpha Arbutin
Exfoliant
Updated 10 Dec 2025

Alpha Arbutin

Garden Of Wisdom (GOW)
10Ingredients
0EU Banned
3Caution
0.1/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy SafeNo flagged ingredients
0.1/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy SafeNo flagged ingredients
Allergen-freeNo fragrance allergens
60% Natural20% synthetic

Contains Regulated Ingredients

EU Restricted Ingredients

These ingredients are permitted in the EU but subject to concentration limits, usage conditions, or mandatory labelling requirements under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

Alpha-ArbutinMax 5.0%
Max concentration:5.0%
Product types:(a) Face cream(b) Body lotion
Conditions:Hydroquinone levels shall remain as low as possible in formulations containing alpha-Arbutin and shall not be higher than the unavoidable trace level.From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.
Kojic AcidMax 1.0%
Max concentration:1.0%
Product types:Face and hand products
Conditions:From 1 February 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be placed on the Union market. From 1 November 2025 cosmetic products containing that substance and not complying with the conditions shall not be made available on the Union market.
PhenoxyethanolMax 1.0%
Max concentration:1.0%
What does "EU Restricted" mean?

Restricted ingredients are not banned — they are allowed in cosmetic products as long as specific conditions are met:

  • Concentration limits — maximum allowed percentage in the final product
  • Product type restrictions — some ingredients are only allowed in rinse-off or leave-on products
  • pH restrictions — the finished product must stay within a specific pH range
  • Mandatory labelling — certain allergens must be listed on the packaging
  • Usage conditions — must not be combined with certain other ingredients

These limits are based on the EU CosIng database (Annex III) and are updated regularly. Products sold in the EU must comply with all applicable restrictions.

Ingredient Chemistry

pH

pH Efficacy

pH Efficacy

pH 3.8 — Suboptimal
3.8
0Neutral 714
pH estimated from category & ingredients: 3.8
Active ingredients: Alpha-Arbutin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Niacinamide, Kojic Acid
Alpha-Arbutin at pH 3.8: acceptable but not ideal (4–6.5 is best)
Ascorbyl Glucoside at pH 3.8: very acidic — may increase irritation risk
Niacinamide at pH 3.8: very acidic — may increase irritation risk
Kojic Acid at pH 3.8: optimal range (3.5–5)
Ascorbyl Glucoside at pH 3.8 is below the ideal range (5–7).
Niacinamide at pH 3.8 is below the ideal range (5–7).
Detected actives & ideal pH
Alpha-ArbutinpH 4–6.5
Ascorbyl GlucosidepH 5–7
NiacinamidepH 5–7
Kojic AcidpH 3.5–5

Microbiome

Composition & Ethics

Product Details

Attributes

Ethics
VeganLikely
No animal-derived ingredients detected
Cruelty-FreeUnknown
No brand statement — contact manufacturer
Safety
Fragrance-FreeLikely
No fragrance ingredients detected
Confirmed Inferred Unknown Not compliant

Composition

60% natural20% synthetic
6 natural 2 unknown 2 synthetic

Based on 10 ingredients analyzed. 60% natural, 20% unknown and 20% synthetic.

Preservatives1 preservative

Functions Overview (8)

type of chemical entity1:Alpha-Arbutin
lipophilic antioxidant; ester of ascorbic acid and palmitic acid; product stabiliser; skin-conditioning agent; converted to ascorbic acid after ester cleavage by skin esterases1:Sodium Ascorbyl Palmitate

Texture & Feel

Texture & Feel

Expected texture
Grainy scrub or thin chemical liquid — physical exfoliants feel gritty, chemical ones feel like water
SpreadabilityEasy
AbsorptionFast
Tackiness / ResidueVery low
Finish:Smooth, refined — skin feels polished after rinsing

Gritty (physical) or tingling (chemical) — exfoliation sensation on skin.