Alpha Arbutin 2% Cream
Exfoliant

Alpha Arbutin 2% Cream

Underrated
22Ingredients
0EU Banned
2Caution
1.0/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy Risk1 ingredient flagged
1.0/5Comedogenic
Pregnancy Risk1 ingredient flagged
Allergen-freeNo fragrance allergens
64% Natural32% 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-Arbutin
Restricted — see EU CosIng Annex III
Sodium Hydroxide
Restricted — see EU CosIng Annex III
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 4.3 — Optimal
4.3
0Neutral 714
pH estimated from category & ingredients: 4.3
Active ingredients: Alpha-Arbutin
Alpha-Arbutin at pH 4.3: optimal range (4–6.5)
Detected actives & ideal pH
Alpha-ArbutinpH 4–6.5

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

64% natural31% synthetic
14 natural 1 unknown 7 synthetic

Based on 22 ingredients analyzed. 64% natural, 5% unknown and 31% synthetic.

Preservatives1 preservative

Functions Overview (15)

skin conditioning7:Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Oil, Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) Extract, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Gluconate
emollient4:Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter
skin conditioning - emollient3:Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate

Texture & Feel

Texture & Feel

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

Gritty (physical) or tingling (chemical) — exfoliation sensation on skin. Slight initial tackiness that fades into a hydrated dewy finish.