The Ordinary: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

**If you have read my other The Ordinary reviews, you can skip to the claims & results section**

DECIEM: The Abnormal Beauty Company. If their name doesn’t ring a bell, you will probably be rushing to buy their products by the end of this review. The company produces hi-tech skincare products, so do not expect natural or organic mentioned anywhere.  This is THE BREAKTHROUGH skincare company of the year and this newly launched line, The Ordinary, is no exception.

Tagged as “an evolving collection of treatments offering familiar, effective clinical technologies positioned to raise pricing and communication integrity in skincare”, this line is for those consumers who know what they are looking for in their skincare and are not afraid to experiment. What is shocking and the ‘breackthrough’ is the price of each of the products, which ranges from $4.90 to $14.80.

The line originally launched with 10 products: 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil, Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Matrixyl 10% + HA, Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%, Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%, Advanced Retinoid 2%, Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and ‘Buffet’. But if you check on their website, there are more goodies to come!

I am just as excited to review these products as when I ordered them. At the time, I ordered 4 products: Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%, Advanced Retinoid 2% and Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%. I have been thoroughly testing all except for the Retinol, which I am going to write a separate review for later on. As always, this company is very transparent with their science and ingredients, which makes a pleasure to review. I recommend you peruse their site.

INGREDIENTS:

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA — Aqua (Water), Alpha-Arbutin, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lactic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% — Aqua (Water), Lactic Acid, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract, Arginine, Potassium Citrate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Ethyl 2,2-Dimethylhydrocinnamal, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% — Aqua (Water), Niacinamide, Zinc PCA, Tamarindus Indica Seed Gum, Pentylene Glycol, Carrageenan, Acacia Senegal Gum, Xanthan Gum, PPG-26-Buteth-26, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin.

As you can see, these formulas are quite short, although they contain very interesting combinations. In particular, the 5% Lactic Acid formula contains other ingredients which will counteract the potential irritation of the acid.

CLAIMS & RESULTS

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA ($8.90) — This serum claims to reduce the look of spots and hyperpigmentation. It’s used at a high 2% concentration versus a standard concentration of 1% and supported with a next-generation form of Hyaluronic Acid for enhanced delivery. Alpha Arbutin is much stronger in effect than Arbutin or Beta Arbutin.

I purchased this to test and compare against my current most favorite hyperpigmentation treatments (Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide + Vit C) and unfortunately I have yet to see similar results. I have tried using this alone, with Vit C, with Niacinamide, and nothing. It might be too soon to tell, but Alpha Arbutin is probably not the quickest way to go. I will of course use the entire bottle up, but so far a little let down. As a side note, I have never used a specific Alpha Arbutin treatment before, so I cannot comment on the effectiveness of this Alpha Arbutin formula versus anything else on the market. This serum is truly extraordinary and standout.

The serum is housed in a see through dropper bottle, so I keep mine stored in a dark space and inside the box! I know some people do not like dropper bottles, but that only bothers me when I am trying to get the last bits of products out. The texture of the serum is thick and viscous, while colorless. However, even though it does not contain fragrance, there is a strong soapy smell. Quite confusing at first! Furthermore, the serum absorbs quite quickly and can be used on all skin types.

I always prefer an opaque packaging with a pump to preserve freshness, however, given the price point, i’m not too worried. In addition, the product description notes: Alpha Arbutin is extremely sensitive to degradation in the presence of water if the pH of the formulation is not ideal. The pH of this formula is approximately 4.9 which is shown to be the most suitable pH to minimize degradation of Alpha Arbutin. So don’t go spritzing your face with a mist or toner right after applying this sucker.

SHELF LIFE

12 months

WHERE TO PURCHASE

Deciem’s The Ordinary Site

If the curiosity bug has bit you, there is a product guide which explains how to use the products and how to combine them!