[reward007]

Hi I am new to this site I just wanted to know the best skin lightening cream is? Without wasting money on cream that don't work.

[nikki1000]

Quote... A bit more information on arbutin is warranted. As mentioned above, arbutin contains a form of hydroquinone derived from the leaves of bearberry, cranberry, mulberry or blueberry shrubs, and also is present in most types of pears. Because of arbutin's hydroquinone content it can have melanin-inhibiting properties (Source: The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, February 1996, pages 765-769). Although the research describing arbutin's effectiveness is persuasive (even if most of the research has been done in vitro), concentration protocols have not been established. That means we don't know how much arbutin it takes to lighten skin when it is added to a cosmetic formulation. Moreover, most cosmetics companies don't use "arbutin" in their products because there are patents controlling its use for skin lightening. To get around this problem many cosmetics companies use plant extracts that contain arbutin. Unfortunately, there is little to no research showing the plant extract source of arbutin as having any impact on skin, especially not in the tiny amounts used in cosmetics.

The only products available with a rather high concentration of arbutin (about 5%) are Shiseido's Whitess Intensive Skin Brightener ($120 for 1.4 ounces), Shiseido's Luminizing Night Essence ($75 for 1.3 ounces), and Shiseido's Cle de Peau The Cream ($500 for 1 ounce). Despite the pricing disparity, these formulations have far more in common than they do differences. Be forewarned: The Cream comes in jar packaging, which will not keep the arbutin stable for very long after opening.

[KatherineB]

Arbutin is weak. It will take long to see results