Alpha-arbutin is the active substance originated from natural plant which can whiten and lighten skin. Alpha Arbutin can infiltrate into the skin quickly without affecting the concentration of cell multiplication and effectively prevent activity of tyrosinase in the skin and the forming of melanin. By combined arbutin with tyrosinase, decomposition and drainage of melanin are accelerated, splash and fleck can be got ride of and no side effects are caused. Alpha Arbutin is one of the safest and most efficient whitening materials that are popular at present. Alpha Arbutin is also the most competitive whitening activity in the 21st century.

 Alpha-arbutin is commercially used as a skin-whitening agent in cosmetic industry. Depending on the spatial structure of the glycosidic linkage between glucose, arbutin forms two epimers: α-arbutin and β-arbutin.