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The Ordinary

Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid
Serums

About this product

A lightweight serum containing 2% alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid, designed to reduce hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone while providing hydration.

Serums

The Guru Index verdict

76%

Approved

Approved · 76%
7Reviewers
6Approved
0Mixed
1Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus overwhelmingly praise this serum as an affordable, gentle, and effective hyperpigmentation fighter suitable for all skin types and compatible with most actives. Consistency is repeatedly stressed as key to results. The 2% concentration is cited as clinically optimal. A single recurring gripe is a faint oniony smell that fades quickly but may bother fragrance-sensitive users. Reviewers consistently position it as a safer, gentler long-term alternative to prescription hydroquinone.
Synthesized from 7 expert reviews
Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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Approved
"This was a really effective serum for brightening the skin. Great if you have that uneven skin tone, post-acne marks, dark spots. Alpha arbutin is a tyrosinase inhibitor, so it helps prevent melanin formation. If you are dealing with discoloration and you do struggle with that, then alpha arbutin might be a great ingredient to incorporate on an everyday basis and it's well tolerated on all skin types. It is very comparable and similar to hydroquinone, but of course, alpha arbutin is more gentle and you can use this long-term without having to worry about removing it from your routine here and there. So, it's one that you can be more consistent with and you can use it twice a day if you wish. Even if you just have dull-looking skin, alpha arbutin can also help to brighten the skin as well. It's a really nice ingredient to have in your routines even to prevent future hyperpigmentation."
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"This was a really effective serum for brightening the skin. Great if you have that uneven skin tone, post-acne marks, dark spots. Alpha arbutin is a tyrosinase inhibitor, so it helps prevent melanin formation. If you are dealing with discoloration and you do struggle with that, then alpha arbutin might be a great ingredient to incorporate on an everyday basis and it's well tolerated on all skin types. It is very comparable and similar to hydroquinone, but of course, alpha arbutin is more gentle and you can use this long-term without having to worry about removing it from your routine here and there. So, it's one that you can be more consistent with and you can use it twice a day if you wish. Even if you just have dull-looking skin, alpha arbutin can also help to brighten the skin as well. It's a really nice ingredient to have in your routines even to prevent future hyperpigmentation."
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"I used to talk about this a lot several years ago and it really is effective in brightening the skin and fading even post acne marks. It's so gentle yet really effective."
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"The Ordinary has an amazing Alpha Arbutin serum. This separate Alpha Arbutin from The Ordinary is still at 2% concentration and thank goodness that they kept this serum because this serum helps with that brighter complexion and it really helps to address that uneven skin tone. If you have dark spots or post acne marks, then this serum on its own can really help to give that even skin tone in time. This is basically like an alternative and a safer, more gentler option than hydroquinone. Of course hydroquinone is stronger, it's going to work quicker, this is more gentle and something that you can use every day without experiencing irritation. I really love this serum, especially paired up with your vitamin C serum of choice. This is so affordable yet super effective."
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"This is a lovely serum that actually works to fade these areas, especially when you are consistent. Right consistency is key with skin care in general. This one here has Alpha arbutin, and this is an ingredient that I have been using for several years specifically from The Ordinary. They do have a lovely Alpha arbutin serum at a 2% strength, and this ingredient is basically a plant-based ingredient to help fade dark spots and discoloration. It's very similar in the way that it works to hydroquinone, but of course it's a lot safer, it's more gentle than hydroquinone. Yes, it might take a little bit longer to work compared to hydroquinone, but it's an ingredient that can be used by many skin types and it's also a friendly ingredient that can be used alongside retinol, retinoid, vitamin C and so on, and it can be used every day twice a day. The other ingredient in here that will target discoloration is kojic acid, so again this is going to fade dark spots, discoloration, helping with that even skin tone in time, but also this ingredient really helps to give that brighter complexion overall. And then there is licorice root extract which does very similar things, it helps to brighten and give more of that even skin tone."
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"I've always enjoyed this serum because it's really effective especially if you are consistent with it and you're using it at least once a day. It's a serum that you can use twice a day if you wish. It's a very gentle serum and you can honestly pair this product up with most things. There really isn't any conflicts with Alpha Arbutin, which is why I really liked it because you can pair it up with anything like your vitamin C serum, your retinol, peptides. You can pair it up with anything. This serum is very similar to hydroquinone, which is a product that is generally prescribed by your dermatologist or your doctor. It's a product that really helps with discoloration and giving that even skin tone. This is similar but way more gentle and you can use it more often and it's safer to use. With hydroquinone you can't really be on it long term."
Approved
"Alfrabutin is really difficult to find in a standalone serum. So I would opt for The Ordinary one, 2%, which again studies show is that peak performance percentage that we should all be looking for. 2% of that wonderful alfrabutin to just deliver you those quick wins."
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"If you haven't tried alpha arbutin yet, definitely worth it because it's really gentle and it pairs well with almost all skin types. So it's one of those universal ingredients everyone could use to just get a little extra boost to their skincare routine. I think one of the most affordable and effective on the market is the one by The Ordinary. I've yet to find one that really compares in terms of price and performance to this one. Use it, love it, slot it into your skincare routine, and you'll just see the rest of your actives working a little bit more effectively, a little bit harder for you. Alpha arbutin is a hidden gem, but one that's definitely an ingredient that's worth looking out for when it comes to fading dark spots."
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"Alpha Arbutin is fantastic. It's a precursor to hydroquinone, so one of the very best hyperpigmentation fighting ingredients you are ever going to find. Super inexpensive, less than £10. What I do is I put a couple of drops into my moisturizer. Whatever moisturizer you use on a morning, put a couple of drops into it and then just apply it to the skin. Dab it in and you're getting that extra boost of hyperpigmentation fighting without breaking the bank. This has made the biggest difference to my hyperpigmentation journey. And if you're not doing it, you are missing out. You can use it all over the body. If you've got hyperpigmentation on the chest from fading acne, you might have on the tops of the arms, the knees, wherever. Put it in your moisturizer. Couple of drops into your moisturizer. You won't even know it's there, but your body and the results certainly will."
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"Alfrabutin is really difficult to find in a standalone serum. So I would opt for The Ordinary one, 2%, which again studies show is that peak performance percentage that we should all be looking for. 2% of that wonderful alfrabutin to just deliver you those quick wins."
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"I use it for its hyperpigmentation fighting abilities during summer in particular. I'll pop a couple of drops into my moisturizer and it will really help just reduce hyperpigmentation and gradually fade it. It's one of the most effective over-the-counter hyperpigmentation treatments. The way I say it's controversial is it does have a slight oniony smell. So it's not overwhelming, but it's present. I don't like the scent, but I love the price point, so I put up with it. If you're somebody who is very sensitive to fragrance or scent, this might be a pass for you. If you can put up with a slight diced onion vibe for about 30 seconds after you've applied it, this is one of the best Alpha Arbutin serums you will ever use."
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"I've actually been using this one, the Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% plus hyaluronic acid. This is the one that I've been using for the past 12 months and has delivered me some gamechanging results. Alpha arbutin is actually a precursor to hydroquinone. So anyone that's really studied dark spots and discoloration knows that the most potent hyperpigmentation ingredient is hydroquinone. Now in most places it's actually prescription strength only, and that's because it comes with a whole host of side effects and issues. Yes, it works. It really packs a punch, but all those side effects mean a lot of people just choose not to go down that hydroquinone route."
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"This is The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% serum. This is the same great strength of arbutin as with that vitamin C product but obviously you haven't got that vitamin C alongside it. You then just have to pair this with your favorite vitamin C of choice. You then just apply a couple of drops of your alpha arbutin after you've applied vitamin C and you'll get the same great results when it comes to fading hyperpigmentation, even out the skin tone, taking it to the next level without having to spend a whole lot more."
Approved
"Start cheap. Don't start with my products. Start with The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid. Then maybe layer in a niacinamide. If you're not seeing results, then it's because it's likely you've got stubborn pigmentation that tends to happen in skin of color and you actually need a cocktail of tyrosinase inhibitors."
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"Start cheap. Don't start with my products. Start with The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid. Then maybe layer in a niacinamide. If you're not seeing results, then it's because it's likely you've got stubborn pigmentation that tends to happen in skin of color and you actually need a cocktail of tyrosinase inhibitors."
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"Alpha arbutin 2% is actually one of my favorite actives and is in the correct therapeutic index. The Ordinary has actually done a very good job with this particular product. The way tyrosinase inhibitors work is that they reduce the level of pigmentation being formed. There are 10 different tyrosinase inhibitors that I love for skin of color, alpha arbutin being one of them."
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"For long-term results you need tyrosinase inhibitors. Start cheap with two percent alpha arbutin from The Ordinary, it's very good just on the pigmentation itself."
HYPERPIGMENTATION LAYERING
"Alpha Arbutin 2% is where the clinical studies are based at. Alpha Arbutin is a tyrosinase inhibitor. Tyrosinase inhibitors are essential because there's one enzyme needed to make melanin and that's tyrosinase. If you inhibit this enzyme you're reducing the rate of melanin production, so you're reducing the rate of hyperpigmentation production. This is one of the most effective ones for skin of color."
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"Start with your 2% Alpha Arbutin from The Ordinary or from the inky list or from minimalist and if that doesn't work after a few months you can upgrade to our facial pigmentation kit specifically for skin of color. I think the key here is never be too aggressive with your skin."
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"I would focus this mainly on the pigmentation areas but you can put on the whole face. Plus it's anti-aging as well because of vitamin A, it's got retinol and retinal in it. Start cheap, start with Alpha Arbutin from The Ordinary. If that doesn't work and you want to upgrade, you have an option."
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"I like the two percent Alpha Arbutin from The Ordinary. I always say start cheap so the products I would recommend to start with if you have hyperpigmentation is the two percent Alpha Arbutin from The Ordinary."
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"Safer than hydroquinone would be alpha arbutin, tranexamic acid, kojic acid. For example, if you want to start off cheap, start off with The Inky List or The Ordinary for alpha arbutin."
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"The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + Hyaluronic Acid is $24. It's not cheap but it's very effective as a first line treatment. A lot of people have tried to copy what The Ordinary have done but actually have done a pretty poor job. This is still the first line that I recommend. There's no rebound hyperpigmentation and it's good for early stage hyperpigmentation. Plus it's fragrance free and it's a nonirritating formula that would be your first go-to product."
Approved
"Alpha Arbutin and Hyaluronic Acid is a basic layering product which I have been talking about for two years, which is absolutely amazing. I do like the one by The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% plus Hyaluronic Acid."
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"Alpha Arbutin 2% is usually in your morning routine. If you're using Alpha Arbutin plus niacinamide or Alpha Arbutin plus vitamin C, whatever you're using in your morning routine, continue with that. Now also additionally bring Alpha Arbutin into your PM skincare routine. Layer your Alpha Arbutin along with your retinol. 2% Alpha Arbutin standard is what every brand has, you get this concentration in every brand. Alpha Arbutin is a brightening ingredient, it's not an irritating ingredient, and that is why I'm recommending this combination."
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"In your nighttime skincare routine, after double cleansing, you will apply Alpha Arbutin serum - the Alpha Arbutin 2% that we always had in our morning routines, now we're bringing it into our nighttime skincare routine. You can take any brand's Alpha Arbutin 2%, The Ordinary is expensive, Minimalist is affordable."
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"Alpha Arbutin and Hyaluronic Acid is a basic layering product which I have been talking about for two years, which is absolutely amazing. I do like the one by The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% plus Hyaluronic Acid."
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"In case you cannot get your hands on the product, then option number two will be: after you cleanse your face, use a 2% Alpha Arbutin serum. You can use Alpha Arbutin from any brand, The Ordinary, Inky List, whatever else is available. Alpha Arbutin will need to be layered with niacinamide, so in your correct step comes Alpha Arbutin and in your compliment step comes niacinamide, then moisturizer and sunscreen."
Approved
"There are some clinical studies to show that alpha arbutin, which is a glycosylated form of hydroquinone, can actually be quite useful. The Ordinary do some great alpha arbutin, which is great."
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"There are some clinical studies to show that alpha arbutin, which is a glycosylated form of hydroquinone, can actually be quite useful. The Ordinary do some great alpha arbutin, which is great."
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"If you're going to have another serum I would add the alpha arbutin 2% and you can get this from The Ordinary. For those of you that don't want to buy an extra product, this particular one's got ascorbic acid 8% in it which is vitamin C, so you've got vitamin C and alpha arbutin mix. Alpha arbutin is what we call a tyrosinase inhibitor, it blocks the production and transport of melanin, which is what pigmentation is. So you can use this in the daytime, still get your daily dose of vitamin C, cutting down a product, and then maybe use retinol at night. Or you could use this twice daily if you feel that you have more pigmentation or you don't want to use a retinol every day."
Skip
"This is The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% serum for $28. $28 for an Ordinary product is actually crazy because I think this product is $10, and on this sketchy website they want to sell it for $28. Hell no."
Approved
"This is the alpha arbutin 2% plus hyaluronic acid from the ordinary. This is a really good one, it's inexpensive and effective. It's a really nice one. It's fantastic for pigmentation and acne scars, and you can use this alongside other products to layer well and get such good benefits out of this for the hyperpigmentation, that acne scar response, and that inflammation while also supporting the skin."
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