Arbutin - skin whitening agent

Arbutin.wikipedia
"Arbutin is a glycoside; a glycosylated hydroquinone extracted from the bearberry plant in the genus Arctostaphylos. It inhibits tyrosinase and thus prevents the formation of melanin. Arbutin is therefore used as a skin-lightening agent. Arbutin is found in wheat, and is concentrated in pear skins. It is also found in Bergenia crassifolia."

highaltitudeorganics.net - Arbutin (Alpha & Beta)
"Alpha Arbutin's inhibitory mechanism is different from that of arbutin and can be up to 10 times more effective."

paulaschoice.com - definition of arbutin
"Many cosmetics companies use plant extracts that contain arbutin, such as bearberry and mulberry leaf extract"

High-yield enzymatic bioconversion of hydroquinone to alpha-arbutin, a powerful skin lightening agent, by amylosucrase.pdf
"α-Arbutin (α-Ab) is a powerful skin whitening agent that blocks epidermal melanin biosynthesis by inhibiting the enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA). α-Ab was effectively synthesized from hydroquinone(HQ) by enzymatic biotransformation using amylosucrase (ASase)."

Assessment of a new skin brightening emulgel containing glycolic acid, lactic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, and UVA/UVB filters in females with melasma.pdf
"The emulgel containing glycolic acid, lactic acid, kojic acid, arbutin, and UVA/UVB filters reduced brown and UV spots in women with melasma, resulting in a decrease of MASI score in the volunteers and can be considered a useful hydroquinone-free option regarding the treatment of patients with melasma."