Medically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmDMedically reviewed by Mary Choy, PharmD Arbutin is an active skin-lightening ingredient in many skin care products that treat hyperpigmentation (dark spots).

There is no escaping the cosmetic jargon with this one, so let’s get it out of the way. Arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone (a popular skin lightening ingredient), and a naturally occurring ...