The Ordinary

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

face serum

Added Last edited

Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry
44%
Combination (dry)
44%
Balanced
74%
Combination (oily)
96%
Oily
96%

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15
Ingredients
4
Benefits
1
Actives
Find Dupes

A concentrated serum with pure alpha arbutin and hyaluronic acid for more visibly even-toned skin.

Key Insights

Benefits

4
Anti-Aging
Dark Spot Fading
Evens Skin Tone
Hydration

Active Ingredients

1
AHA

Risks

1
Synthetic polymer

Full Ingredients

15 total
AQUA ALPHA-ARBUTIN PROPANEDIOL POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6 HYDROLYZED SODIUM HYALURONATE ERGOTHIONEINE POLYSORBATE 20 CITRIC ACID AHA SODIUM CITRATE SODIUM HYDROXIDE SODIUM METABISULFITE TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE ETHOXYDIGLYCOL PHENOXYETHANOL CHLORPHENESIN

About Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Overview

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA is a watery-light serum from The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada. The ingredient list runs to 15 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte.

What the formula does

Hydration: Moderate. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Propanediol and Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate.

Brightening: Moderate. Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks, and here that comes from Alpha-arbutin and Ergothioneine.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on barrier support, antioxidant protection, oil control and soothing. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.

Where it fits in a routine

It can be used morning and evening. In a routine it goes after toner, before moisturiser. Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer. Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.

This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

  • No fragrance or declared allergens
  • No essential oils
  • No drying alcohol
  • Silicone-free
  • No microplastics
  • No common irritants flagged in the list

Things to know

  • One ingredient could feed malassezia (fungal acne)
  • Contains ingredients usually flagged for review during pregnancy

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

  • Combination (oily) skin
  • Oily skin

May suit

  • Balanced skin

Less suitable for

  • Dry skin
  • Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

  • Anti-Aging 2 ingredients

    Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

  • Dark Spot Fading 2 ingredients

    Fades hyperpigmentation and evens out dark spots over time

  • Hydration 2 ingredients

    Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy

  • Evens Skin Tone 1 ingredient

    Brightens and balances complexion for a more uniform appearance

Does not target

Anti-Acne Blackhead Reducing Oil Control Pore Minimizer Smooths Bumpy Skin Soothing

None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Alpha-arbutin

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

4-Hydroxyphenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside

Anti-Aging Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone
Propanediol

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

1,3-dihydroxypropane

Hydration
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate is the hydrolysate of Sodium Hyaluronate derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis

Hydration
Ergothioneine

6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Ammonium, [1-carboxy-2-(2-mercaptoimidazol-4-yl)ethyl]trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt, L-(+)-

Anti-Aging Dark Spot Fading
Citric Acid AHA

8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration Moderate

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support None

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support None

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control None

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening Moderate

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing None

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal Low

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (1)

Supporting ingredients (14)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Aqua Alpha-arbutin Propanediol Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate Ergothioneine Polysorbate 20 Sodium Citrate Sodium Hydroxide Sodium Metabisulfite Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Ethoxydiglycol Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

  • Fragrance-free
  • Essential-oil-free
  • No drying alcohol
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Microplastic-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free
  • Oil-free
  • No animal-derived ingredients

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
  • Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
  • AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
  • BHA (salicylic acid)
  • PHAs (gluconolactone)
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Azelaic acid
  • Copper peptides
  • Bakuchiol
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Signal peptides
  • Panthenol
  • Sunscreen

Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.

Where it fits in a routine

Morning Evening
  1. Cleanse
  2. Toning
  3. Treat
  4. Moisturise
  5. Protect

This product is the "Treat" step.

  • Apply to clean, dry skin and give it a minute to absorb before the next layer.
  • Introduce one new treatment at a time so you can identify what is working.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Contains Alpha-arbutin, usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy.
Fungal acne (malassezia)
1 ingredient could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20. That is about the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that you will break out.
Sensitive and reactive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.
Recorded ingredient risks
Synthetic polymer

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 15 ingredients on the label.

3
Antioxidant

Neutralises free radicals from UV and pollution

3
Chelator

Binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula

3
pH adjuster

Sets the acidity the formula needs to work

3
Preservative

Keeps the product free of microbial growth

3
Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

2
Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

1
Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

1
Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

1
Surfactant

Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Aqua Solvent
Estimated level
30–80%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Water

2 Alpha-arbutin Antioxidant
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Antioxidant

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

4-Hydroxyphenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside

Anti-Aging Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone
3 Propanediol Texture agent
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Texture agent, Solvent

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

1,3-dihydroxypropane

Hydration
4 scientific references
  • PubChem Compound Summary, April 2021, ePublication
  • SpecialChem, Accessed April 2021, ePublication
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review, June 2018, pages 1-73
  • Cosmetics & Toiletries, May 2013, pages 81-86
4 Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 Texture agent
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Texture agent

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 is a copolymer of ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate, dimethylacrylamide, lauryl methacrylate and laureth-4 methacrylate, crosslinked with trimethylolpropane triacrylate

Synthetic polymer
5 Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line

5th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate is the hydrolysate of Sodium Hyaluronate derived by acid, enzyme or other method of hydrolysis

Hydration
6 Ergothioneine Antioxidant
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Antioxidant

6th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Ammonium, [1-carboxy-2-(2-mercaptoimidazol-4-yl)ethyl]trimethyl-, hydroxide, inner salt, L-(+)-

Anti-Aging Dark Spot Fading
7 scientific references
  • Experimental Gerontology, December 2022, pages 1–11
  • Processes, July 2021, pages 1–13
  • Redox Biology, June 2021, pages 1–10
  • International Journal of Molecular Sciences, March 2021, pages 1–11
  • Experimental Cell Research, March 2021, ePublication
  • Polymers, January 2021, pages 1–9
  • Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2020, pages 1–13
7 Polysorbate 20 Surfactant
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant

7th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.

8 Citric Acid Active
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Active, Chelator, pH adjuster

8th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

2-Hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid

9 Sodium Citrate Chelator
Estimated level
1–5%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Chelator, pH adjuster

9th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 1–5% of the formula.

Trisodium citrate

10 Sodium Hydroxide pH adjuster
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
pH adjuster

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Sodium hydroxide

11 Sodium Metabisulfite Antioxidant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Antioxidant, Preservative

11th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Disodium disulphite

12 Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Chelator
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Chelator

12th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

L-Aspartic acid, N,N'-1,2-ethanediylbis-, trisodium salt

13 Ethoxydiglycol Humectant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Solvent

13th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-(2-Ethoxyethoxy)ethanol; Carbitol; Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; DEGEE

14 Phenoxyethanol Preservative
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Preservative

14th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-Phenoxyethanol

15 Chlorphenesin Preservative
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Preservative

15th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

1,2-Propanediol, 3-(4-chlorophenoxy)-

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Shares 3 key ingredients with Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA: Propanediol, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Frequently asked questions

What ingredients are in Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?

AQUA, ALPHA-ARBUTIN, PROPANEDIOL, POLYACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER-6, HYDROLYZED SODIUM HYALURONATE, ERGOTHIONEINE, POLYSORBATE 20, CITRIC ACID, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM METABISULFITE, TRISODIUM ETHYLENEDIAMINE DISUCCINATE, ETHOXYDIGLYCOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, CHLORPHENESIN.

What are the active ingredients in Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?

CITRIC ACID.

How do I use Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?

-Apply a few drops to your entire face in the AM and PM as part of your skincare regimen. Precaution: -Use sun protection in the AM.

What skin types is Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA good for?

Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.

Is Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA good for sensitive skin?

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Is Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA fungal acne safe?

One ingredient could feed malassezia: Polysorbate 20. That describes the yeast's food supply, not a prediction that it will cause a breakout.

Can I use Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA while pregnant?

It contains Alpha-arbutin, which are usually reviewed with a doctor during pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife before using it.

Is Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA fragrance free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.

Does Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contain alcohol?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.

Is Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA silicone free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.

Does Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contain essential oils?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.

Is Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA paraben free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.

What can I layer with Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?

It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.

When should I apply Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?

Use it morning and evening, after toner, before moisturiser.

How many ingredients does Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA have?

It lists 15 ingredients, of which 1 are recorded as actives.

Who makes Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA?

The Ordinary, a brand based in Canada.

Brand
The Ordinary
Country
Canada
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