Beta & Alpha Arbutin Manufacturer from China

1. Arbutin Powder Introduction

Arbutin is commercially used as a skin-whitening agent in cosmetic industry. It works by competitive inhibition of the enzyme, tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the synthesis of melanin.

Depending on the spatial structure of the glycosidic linkage between glucose and hydroquinone, arbutin forms two epimers: Alpha Arbutin and Beta arbutin.

Product Name	CAS Number	INCI Name
β-Arbutin	497-76-7	β-Arbutin
α-Arbutin	84380-01-8	α-Arbutin
Molecular Weight	Molecular Formula	Molecular Structure
C12H16O7	272.25g/mole
C12H16O7	272.25g/mole
Product ID	Specificcation	Minimal Package	Minimal Order Quantity
BFSTAR012	99.0%	1KG	1KG
BFSTAR101	99.5%

4. Arbutin Manufacturer Specification

Product name	Specification
Beta-Arbutin	99.5%    HPLC
Alpha-Arbutin	99.5%    HPLC

Beta-Arbutin Specification

ANALYSIS	SPECIFICATION
Assay	≥99.5%
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Melting Point	199~201±0.5℃
PH(1%water solution)	5.0-7.0
Specific Optical Rotation	-66±2°
Loss on drying	≤0.5%
Residue on ignition	≤0.5%
Hydrochinone	≤10ppm
Heavy metals	≤20ppm
Arsenic	≤2ppm
Total Plate Count	≤300cfu/g
Total Yeast Count	≤100cfu/g

Alpha Arbutin Powder Specification

ANALYSIS	SPECIFICATION
Assay	≥99.5%   HPLC
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Hydroquinone	Negative
Melting Point	203-206（±1）℃
Specific Optical Rotation	[a]20D= + 174.0°- +186.0°
Infrared peak value	1514cm-1; 1229 cm-1; 1215 cm-1; 1059 cm-1; 1034 cm-1
Solubility	Soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol
Clarity	Solution should be clarify, none suspended matters
PH（1% water solution）	5.0-7.0
Loss on drying	≤0.5%
Residue on Ignition	≤0.5%
Heavy metals	≤10ppm
Lead	≤2ppm
Arsenic	≤2ppm
Mercury	≤1ppm
Total Plate Count	≤100cfu/g
Total Yeast & Mold	≤50cfu/g
E.Coli	Negative
Salmonella	Negative
Staphylococcus	Negative

5. Arbutin Working Mechanism

Skin whitening

Arbutin exhibits potent melanin-inhibiting properties and confers whitening effects on the skin. Sun damage and injury or inflammation to the skin from acne, eczema or psoriasis are the two main factors that cause melanin production on the skin. Arbutin can reduce the accumulation of pigment by inhibiting the production of melanin, which accumulates on the skin when tyrosine is oxidized. An enzyme called tyrosinase is the catalytic for this reaction. Scientists found arbutin has shown inhibitory actions against tyrosinase. When topically apply skincare products containing Arbutin, the inhabitation of tyrosinase results in the decrease of melanin, thus, a whiter complexion.

Hyperpigmentation in the epidermis is caused by excessive melanin synthesis due to UV irradiation, wound or stress. Tyrosinase is one of the key enzymes involved in melanin synthesis. The enzyme catalyses the first two steps in melanin synthesis: the hydroxylation of tyrosine to DOPA and the oxidation of DOPA to dopaquinone. Arbutin has an direct inhibitory function against tyrosinase, which leads to the prevention of melanin formation and a whitening effect on the skin.

6. Alpha-Arbutin V.S. Beta-Arbutin

Recent research showed that Alpha-Arbutin has a 10-fold stronger inhibitory effect on the activity of tyrosinase from human malignant melanoma cells than that of Beta-Arbutin. The α-glucosidic bond found in Alpha-Arbutin offers higher stability than the β form found in the related Beta-Arbutin. Moreover, Alpha-Arbutin hardly inhibited cell growth at 1 mmol/L, while Beta-Arbutin inhibit it significantly at the same concentration. It is, therefore, considered that Alpha-Arbutin is an effective and safe ingredient for cosmetics. Alpha arbutin is very expensive. That is the one downside.

7. Differences between Alpha-Arbutin V.S. Beta-Arbutin

	Production	Tyrosinase inhibitory efficacy	Stability	Safety	Price
Alpha-Arbutin	enzymatically synthesized	10 times stronger	higher	safer	More expensive
Beta-Arbutin	Extracted; or chemically synthesized	weaker	lower	inhibit cell growth	cheaper

Alpha-Arbutin Water Solubility

8. BFSTAR Arbutin Powder Feature

1. Beta-Arbutin is produced by environment friendly new tech, annual productivity 100mts, table supply.
2. Loss on drying strictly controlled, less than 0.5%
3. Hydroquinone residue less than 10ppm, Hydroquinone is poisonous and is forbidden in cosmetics. The residue control is very important.

9. Arbutin Application and Dosage

Arbutin is used as a skin whitening agent, a sunscreen agent and an antioxidant in cosmetic formulations. Arbutin soap, cream, serum and lotion are among the major lightening products you will found in the market.

Product name	Reference Dosage
Beta-Arbutin	1-3%
Alpha-Arbutin	0.2-2%

Application cases of Arbutin in cosmetics brand around the world:

Country	Brand	Product	Main ingredient
Japan	DHC	Eyes Gel Strip Masks	Arbutin , olive leaf extract, mulberry extract, peony extract
China	Winona	Arbutin white moisturizing face mask	Arbutin, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Aloe extract, Camellia Sinensis extract、horse chestnut extract
	Taiwan Don Du Ciel	Alpha Arbutin Whitening Aqua Gel	Alpha Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid
	Taiwan Annie’s way	Brightening Jelly Mask	Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid
Korea	The Elixir	Beauty Facial Mask	Arbutin, Licorice root extract, witch hazel extract, hyaluronic acid
	KFB BARONESS	Arbutin Mask sheet	Arbutin, Water, rice bran extract, Glycerin, copolymer, sodium hyaluronate, tocophetrl acetate, carbomer, hydrolyzed collagen
USA	Cape fear naturals	Super alpha arbutin cream	Water, propylene glycol, glyceryl stearate, stearic acid, dimethicone, steareth-2, steareth-20, alpha arbutin, retinyl palmitate (retinol-a), vitamin e acetate, methyl and propyl parabens.
	The Ordinary	Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA.	Alpha Arbutin
	Qrxlabs	Skin Lightening Serum	Kojic Acid,  Alpha Arbutin, Organic Licorice extract, Lemon Balm extract
	Sweetsation Therapy	Lumiessence	Kojic Acid,  Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide, Papaya and Pineapple extract
	Del organics	All-In-One Serum	Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, Niacinamide, Wakame Bioferment, Astaxanthin, Peptide
	DNA CODE	Skin Whitening Peel Pads	Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin, Glycolic acid, Salicylic, Lactic Acid, Papaya, Pineapple, Argireline, DMAE

10. Arbutin’s Advantage Over Traditional Skin-whitening Products

Arbutin can inhibit melanogenesis without causing melanocyte toxicity, unlike traditional depigmenting agents such as hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and kojic acid.

Note

1. Arbutin breaks down easily in acidic conditions, so the pH value of cosmetics containing Arbutin should be greater than 6.0.
2. Please dissolve arbutin in 50℃ hot water before adding it to skin whitening products. (Arbutin is soluble in hot water, methanol or alcohol. Arbutin is partially soluble in cold water. Arbutin is insoluble in aether, chloroform or benzene.)
3. Antioxidants should be added to cosmetics containing Arbutin.

11. Arbutin Reference Formula

Whitening cream：

Ingredient	Content(%)	Ingredient	Content(%)
Vaseline	39	Arbutin	1
Stearyl alcohol	15	Vitamin E	1
Beeswax	15	Fragrance	0.5
Glycerin monostearate	0.5	Distilled water	27
Polyethylene glycol monooleate			1

Anti-freckle whitening essence:

Ingredient	Content(%)	Ingredient	Content(%)
Vitamin C	2-4	Arbutin	4-6
Glycerin	4-6	Antioxidant	0.09-0.2
Ethanol	43-45	Angelica sinensis	9-11
Caisson	0.09-0.2	Ligusticum wallichii	7-9
Vitamin E	4-6	Scutellaria baicalensis	9-11
Liquorice	9-11

Preparation method:

Heat water phase(Vitamin C, Glycerin, Ethanol, Caisson) and oil phase(Vitamin E, Antioxidant) to 50-60℃ respectively, slowly pour water phase into oil phase, then add Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum wallichii, Scutellaria baicalensis, Liquorice and Arbuti, stir well, then obtain the essence.

Whitening toner:

	Ingredient	Content(%)	Ingredient	Content(%)
Group A	Arbutin	0.1-3	Guava leaves extracts	1-5
	Deionized water	63-89.8	Guava fruit extract	3-5
	Hyaluronic acid	5-10	Hydrolyzed pearl solution	1-5
Group B	Propylene glycol	0.1-1	Glycerin	5-10

Preparation method:

Weigh above ingredients of Group A and put them to the water phase bottle; under the condition of stirring rate of 10r/min, heat to 75℃, hold for 10min, then get the water phase. Put the Group B ingredients into oil phase bottle, under the condition of stirring rate of 20r/min, heat to 80℃, hold for 15min, then get the oil phase. Mix the two phases for 500s, cool to 30℃, then get the toner.

Others：

Arbutin compounding with vitamin C derivatives can make skin more moisturizing and transparent.

With hyaluronic acid can relieve dry skin;

With glycyrrhizic acid can repair sunburn.

12. Arbutin Safety

The Catalog Of the International Cosmetics Raw Material Standard English Name issued by CTFA and CAFFCI in 2010 and On the Announcement of Name List of Cosmetics Raw Material published by China Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2014  both have specified Alpha Arbutin and Beta Arbutin as cosmetic ingredient.

13. Storage

Please tightly sealed Arbutin in containers. Store it in a cool dry place and away from sunlight and oxidizing agents.

Packed in 25kg paper drum, 1kg aluminum foil package inside.