Alpha Arbutin Serum 2%

• WaterSolvent
• Butylene GlycolSolvent, Skin Conditioning, Masking, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Viscositydecreasing Agent
• Alpha-ArbutinSkin Conditioning, Antioxidant
• NiacinamideSkin Conditioning, Hair Conditioning, Smoothing

  Ingredient Notes

  Niacinamide is a B vitamin, but not one of the B vitamins linked to Malassezia. Growth work names thiamine (B1) and pyridoxine (B6) as increasing growth alongside a lipid, without being required for it. Thiamine is not food for the yeast: it speeds the step that turns an amino acid into the carbon skeleton it uses, and supplying that skeleton directly removes the need for thiamine entirely. B3 is not named in any of that work. We rate niacinamide safe on that evidence rather than treating the whole B group as one risk, and nothing we hold shows it treats fungal acne either.

  EWG1

  CIRS

  References

  • https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-03616-3_4
  • https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-58-14895
  • https://doi.org/10.1007/s004030050304
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605215/
  • https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/dth.12481
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25399625/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3724370/
• Sodium HyaluronateSkin Conditioning, Humectant
• HydroxyacetophenoneAntioxidant, Hydrating
• Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit ExtractSkin Conditioning, Antioxidant
• Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6Viscosity Controlling, Emulsion Stabilizing
• GlycerinSolvent, Perfuming, Fragrance, Humectant, Viscosity Decreasing Agent, Hair Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Denaturant

  Ingredient Notes

  In a lab study, Malassezia was unable to grow on glycerin without the presence of fatty acids in the agar, indicating that it is not a fungal acne trigger.

  EWG2

  CIRS

  References

  • https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Glycerol
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18510666
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11301638
  • https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/6/3/45
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29737895
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4128616
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC118058/
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X15498574
  • http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTOTAL-ZHYY201307007.htm
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25134312/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5137500/
• PanthenolSkin Conditioning, Anti-static Agent, Hair Conditioning
• Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp ExtractSkin Conditioning, Humectant, Hair Conditioning, Antioxidant
• PhenoxyethanolFragrance, Preservative
• Xanthan GumSkin Conditioning, Viscosity Controlling, Viscosity Increasing Agent, Emulsion Stabilising, Binding Agent, Binding, Surfactant -Emulsifying Agent, Gel Forming
• EthylhexylglycerinSkin Conditioning, Deodorant
• Sodium PhytateChelating Agent
• Citric AcidMasking, Fragrance, Chelating Agent, Ph Adjuster, Buffering Agent
• Disodium EDTAViscosity Controlling, Chelating Agent
• BetaineSkin Conditioning, Humectant, Viscosity Controlling, Antistatic Agent, Hair Conditioning
• Potassium SorbateFragrance, Preservative
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E)CautionAntioxidant, Fragrance, Skin Conditioning, Occlusive,

  Ingredient Notes

  Depending on the source, Tocopherols may be UNSAFE. The Synthetic versions without trace amounts of soybean oil are okay. Patch testing recommended.

  EWG1

  CIRS

  References

  • https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Vitamin-E
  • https://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/tocopherol

Packaging and formulations can change. Always verify the live box, bottle, or retailer ingredient list before use.