Choose by what your skin needs

Tap one and the formulas made for it show in the row below, with the first one chosen.

Not sure? Build your routine

ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM
ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM product label, alpha-arbutin, dark spot appearance, radiance, 30 ml / 1.01 fl oz
The formula's texture at macro scale, ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM
ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM potency panel, alpha-arbutin, dark spot appearance, radiance
Editorial frame for the ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM: the flat of two fingers pressed to the top of a cheekbone.
Norwegian Kelp, close botanical macro, natural detail, ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

Darker skin tones

ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

Brightens and softens the look of dark spots with alpha-arbutin.

9 formulas and 3 sets in this collection

Questions before you choose? Our client care team replies within one to two business days. Write to us

  • Complimentary shipping on orders of $100 or more
  • Every formula here lists its full ingredients
  • Read the returns policy

The formula you chose

The formula's texture at macro scale, ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

Helps reduce the look of dark spots

Brightens and softens the look of dark spots with alpha-arbutin.

The texture

A brightening serum built on Alpha-Arbutin for the appearance of dark spots and uneven tone. Alpha-Arbutin is studied in cosmetics for the appearance of dark spots, while Bidens Pilosa lends botanical support and multi-weight hyaluronic acid hydrates and helps smooth the look of skin.

The study behind it

Alpha-Arbutin is a biotech-derived cosmetic ingredient studied for the appearance of a more even skin tone and a reduced look of dark spots.1

  1. 1 Tantanasrigul P, et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 (PMID 39555866).

How to use it

  1. Apply two to three drops to clean skin morning and evening, after toner and before moisturiser.
  2. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily. Brightening actives may increase photosensitivity, so daily UV protection is advised during use.
  3. Layer compatibly under moisturiser or other leave-on actives.

Your two-step ritual

The pair that goes with the formula you chose, in the order you use them. Add both in one tap.

Step 1, serum

ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

Brightens and softens the look of dark spots with alpha-arbutin.

30 ml, $325.00

Step 2, moisturize

KOJIC ACID FACE CREAM

Brightens and evens tone with kojic acid.

50 ml, $281.00

The serum brightens with alpha-arbutin. The kojic acid cream then targets the look of dark spots and uneven tone.

Chosen with deeper skin tones in mind

9 formulas and 3 sets, with the emphasis on an even-looking tone.

For the look of an even tone

What each formula is built to do

Purifies and gently exfoliates

LACTIC ACID PURIFYING CLEANSER

Lactic Acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid that improved skin smoothness when applied twice a day for three months, at 5% and 12%. In this cleanser it exfoliates during the brief cleansing window before rinsing.1

Exfoliates for smooth, radiant skin

MILD GLYCOLIC EXFOLIATING TONER

Glycolic Acid is the smallest alpha-hydroxy acid, studied in cosmetics for exfoliating the skin's surface to support a smoother, more even-looking tone.2

Helps reduce the look of dark spots

ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

Alpha-Arbutin is a biotech-derived cosmetic ingredient studied for the appearance of a more even skin tone and a reduced look of dark spots.3

Balances oil, evens the look of tone

NIACINAMIDE SKIN BALANCING GEL FOR MEN

Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, is studied in cosmetics to support the appearance of oil balance, with published research on topical niacinamide reporting reduced facial sebum production.4

  1. 1 Smith WP. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1996 (PMID 8784274).
  2. 2 Thibault PK, et al. Dermatologic Surgery, 1998 (PMID 9598014).
  3. 3 Tantanasrigul P, et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 (PMID 39555866).
  4. 4 Draelos ZD, et al. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006 (PMID 16766489).

How these formulas were chosen

Formulas made with deeper skin tones in mind, many of them for the look of an even tone. Exfoliating acids and a volcanic sand scrub sit alongside alpha-arbutin, kojic acid and niacinamide, and every formula names the source behind its claim.

The actives behind the collection

The six actives named in these formulas' own claims, each with the source its record cites.

Lactic acid

A gentle AHA that exfoliates to smooth texture and refine the look of tone.

Smith WP. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1996 (PMID 8784274).

Kojic acid

A fungus-derived active, studied for the appearance of dark spots and a more even-looking tone.

Patil R, et al. Cureus, 2025 (PMID 40296942).

Alpha-arbutin

A biotech-derived form of arbutin, studied for the appearance of dark spots and a more even-looking tone, in a cream pairing 5% alpha-arbutin with 2% kojic acid. The EU allows up to 2% alpha-arbutin in face products.

Tantanasrigul P, et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025 (PMID 39555866).

Glycolic acid

A small-molecule AHA that exfoliates to smooth texture and boost radiance.

Thibault PK, et al. Dermatologic Surgery, 1998 (PMID 9598014).

Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut seed is the source of escin, a plant compound reviewed for supporting vein tone and for reducing how readily small blood vessels leak fluid.

Gallelli L. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 2019 (PMID 31631970).

Niacinamide

Vitamin B3. In four-week studies, a 5% niacinamide moisturiser reduced the look of dark spots and a 2% one lowered facial oil.

Hakozaki T, et al. The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002 (PMID 12100180). Draelos ZD, et al. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, 2006 (PMID 16766489).

Show all ingredients of ALPHA-ARBUTIN BRIGHTENING SERUM

Aqua, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Pentylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium PCA, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Alpha-Arbutin, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, Gossypium Herbaceum Seed Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Cellulose, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Parfum, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Lactic Acid, Ascophyllum Nodosum Extract, Sodium Phytate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Limonene, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Pogostemon Cablin Oil, Linalool, Juniperus Virginiana Oil, Cedrus Atlantica Oil/Extract, Pinene, Vanillin, Menthol, Citral, Beta-Caryophyllene

Behind the glycolic acid

Not sure where to begin?

The Skin Intelligence Finder builds a personalised routine for your skin, one step at a time.

Build your routine

Darker skin tones

9 formulas and 3 sets

Questions

What are the potential side effects of using Bidens pilosa?

It contains Bidens Pilosa Extract from the Asteraceae (daisy) plant family. Individuals who know they react to plants in this family (ragweed, chamomile, arnica, chrysanthemum, marigold, echinacea) may be at higher risk of a reaction and should avoid.

What does alpha arbutin do to skin?

Alpha-Arbutin is a biotech-derived cosmetic ingredient studied for the appearance of a more even skin tone and a reduced look of dark spots.

How do I use it?

Apply two to three drops to clean skin morning and evening, after toner and before moisturiser. Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher daily.

What is the correct way of applying serum?

Apply serum to clean skin, after toner and before moisturiser. For this one, that means two to three drops morning and evening, with your moisturiser or any other leave-on active layered on top. In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, which is advised daily while you use it.

Is shipping included?

Complimentary shipping on orders of $100 or more. Read the shipping policy