The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum Review

The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum
1.6
/ 10
Moisturizing
3.1 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Rich
in Antioxidants
Review

Does The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum has to offer:
 
  • A bit of moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 1.6 out of 10.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum:
 

Slight Moisturizing When Used Alone

According to CreamScan analysis, The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum is slightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 1.6 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a moderate humectancy of 3.1 out of 10, primarily due to Propanediol (est. ≈1.9%), Glycerin (est. ≈0.3%) and Butylene Glycol (est. ≈0.3%).

This type of product provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to overall moisturizing efficacy when used as part of a skincare routine, alongside another moisturizer.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Arbutin (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Pros & Cons of The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of The Derma Co 2% Alpha Arbutin Face Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • Provides relatively light moisturizing on its own but can contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage

Cons: 

  • We couldn't find any

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
90
2
1.9
1.8
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Arbutin
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Tartaric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Sulfite
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Metabisulfite
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Function:
Origin:
Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Ethoxydiglycol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Function:
Origin:
Maltodextrin
Function:
Origin:
Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Function:
Origin:
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Chlorphenesin
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
3.1
1.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
1.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 3.1 10
3.1
1.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
1.6
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
1.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All humectants 3.1 10
3.1
All humectants
3.1
1.9
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
2
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 3.8 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
3.8
Arbutin
2
Sodium Sulfite
0.3
Sodium Metabisulfite
0.3
Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
0.3
Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract
0.3
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
0.3
Sodium Hyaluronate
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
0.3
0.3
All soothing 0.6 5 No
All soothing
0.6
0.3
0.3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %90
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Arbutin
Est. %2
Function
Origin
ArbutinOne of the few potent anti-pigment compounds found naturally in bearberry or cranberry leaves. When applied to the skin, this ingredient converts into hydroquinone, with tyrosinase inhibiting effects.
Propanediol
Est. %1.9
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Tartaric Acid
Est. %1.8
Function
Origin
Tartaric AcidA less used AHA. It is mostly used as a pH adjusting ingredient and its effects on the skin are yet to be researched. Its derivatives are used in a similar manner to barrier-repairing ceramides.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Sodium Sulfite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium SulfiteAn inorganic salt that defends against oxidation.
Sodium Metabisulfite
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium MetabisulfiteA preservative that is especially effective at preventing fungus and mold growth. It is normally combined with a strong bactericidal preservative in order to achieve broad-spectrum protection. Sodium metabisulfite is also used as an antioxidant.
Glycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Butylene Glycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

Saxifraga Sarmentosa Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Saxifraga Sarmentosa ExtractA soothing extract obtained from the strawberry saxifrage plant. It contains antioxidant flavonoids.
Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit ExtractA soothing extract obtained derived from the papaya fruit. It contains a skin softening and mildly exfoliating enzyme called papain, as well as various anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that can assist in the wound healing process.
Psidium Guajava Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Psidium Guajava Fruit ExtractAn extract obtained from guava fruit of South America with astringent and antioxidant phenolic compounds.
Ethoxydiglycol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthoxydiglycolA type of alcohol with humectant moisturizing properties. It also acts as a solvent, since it mixes well with a variety of other compounds, including water and even some oils.
Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hyaluronate

A sodium salt of famous hyaluronic acid. A potent humectant that hydrates the skin, supports collagen function, and fills out small wrinkles. Sodium hyaluronate also offers soothing and antioxidant properties.

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor OilA castor oil-derived ingredient often used to incorporate small amounts of oil (such as a fragrance) into a water-based product. PEG-4 HCO is a gold-standard solubilizer and can be used in low amounts due to its ability to solubilize things so well.
Maltodextrin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MaltodextrinA formula helper manufactured from starch. It has a sweet flavor and is often used in rinse-off products to support their foaming structure. Maltodextrin is also used to stabilize emulsions and to absorb and bind other ingredients in the formula.
Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Punica Granatum Seed Cell Culture Lysate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6A polymeric ingredient that works best in water-based formulas to create gel textures. It helps to stabilize emulsions and control viscosity.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Chlorphenesin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
ChlorphenesinA preservative and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent that protects products from a wide range of bacteria and fungi.