I’m not sure how I came about the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum. It’s not a brand I’m familiar with, nor an ingredient I’m used to using.
Yet, one day while browsing Worthee Cosmetics, I conveniently added it to my shopping basket, ordered it, and promptly forgot about it.
Until now.
I took it out to use, but there was something about it that didn’t sit well with me, so it was a product I wasn’t very regular with. And then, we went into lockdown, and I went on a mission to use up my skincare.
And when I ran out of my most recent Vitamin C serum, I decided to use the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum up, before hopping along to a new Vitamin C serum.
Well, let’s just say that I’m pretty impressed by this nondescript little bottle! 😀
Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum – What is Alpha-Arbutin?
The key ingredient in this serum is Alpha-Arbutin. I was familiar with this ingredient, from my days of using ‘whitening’ products.
Alpha-Arbutin is an ingredient often used in topical skincare products that claim to lighten dark spots and pigmentation. It is touted as a more gentle, safer ingredient as compared to hydroquinone, and as effective.
What it does is even out skintone and lighten dark spots and pigmentation caused by the sun or post inflammation hyperpigmentation, caused by breakouts. It is a well-known and researched ingredient, and proven to work.
Personally, I wasn’t very exposed to it, because I gave up on using whitening/brightening skincare products many years ago. I also have made peace with the condition of my hyperpigmentation, and I’m comfortable with it.
RELATED READING: Here’s why I gave up on whitening/brightening skincare products and focused on using active ingredients READ HERE
As I said, knowing what the key ingredient does, I wasn’t sure why I bought the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum LOL! 😛
The other key ingredients in the serum are Tranexamic Acid, which is supposed to have an inhibitory effect on melanin production, which could help improve melasma; Niacinamide which improves skin elasticity, protects the skin and evens out skin tone; Vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant and to even out skin tone; Licorice Root Extract to soothe skin and disperse melanin pigment; Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate skin, Vitamin B5 for moisturizing and Allantoin to soothe and heal skin.
As you can see, the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum is therefore one that is formulated to be fairly potent to deal with skin discolouration, hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.
Truth to tell, I did not pay a lot of attention when I started using this. I was using it irregularly at first, because I was impatient, and did not notice visible results.
It wasn’t until I started using it regularly every morning, and being in forced sun exposure that I woke up one day, after about a month’s use, looked at myself in the mirror and thought “Hey? The skin is looking a lot clearer than usual!” I started paying a little more attention then.
Visible lightening and evening out of hyperpigmentation
As I shared in the past, I have come to terms with the fact that my hyperpigmentation is here to stay. I don’t pay it much heed any longer, and I use Vitamin C serums to keep it in check and my skin tone even.
Therefore, I wasn’t expecting to see any results after using the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum.
When we were forced to stay indoors during the peak of our lockdown, I noticed that my skin had lightened significantly on its own, and that lack of UV exposure and rigorous use of Vitamin C and Retinol serums had lightened my hyperpigmentation.
Then, we were allowed to go out again, and I and my pup were immensely relieved! He needed his walks and runs and I needed to be able to go out and feel the sun. I’ve been out in the mornings, under the hot sun and on jungle treks. Needless to say, my hyperpigmentation flared up again, and I now sport a slight tan LOL! 😀
I therefore noticed it when I looked in the mirror and saw that my hyperpigmentation on my cheekbones appeared visibly lighter. It looked less ‘dirty”, and my skin looked clearer.
I was not expecting this, so it came as a bit of a surprise.
I don’t have photos. I wasn’t expecting it to work, and I’d stopped taking these ‘before-after’ photos because realistically, you can easily manipulate these images. But I know what I see, and I don’t need anyone else to validate it, or otherwise 🙂
My pigmentation spots are still there, of course. They aren’t going anywhere. But it appeared lighter and less visible. With no change in my skincare products, and with only the addition of the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum used every morning, I could only attribute it to this serum.
Skin tone looks more even and clearer
As much as I credit Vitamin C serums with keeping my skintone even and clear, I had noticed that prolonged and regular sun exposure meant that my skin was suffering a little.
Yet, at about the same time that I noticed my pigmentation clearing up a little, I noticed also that my skin tone looked better. It was clearer and more even, and in lay terms, it looked brighter.
I had a couple of spots on my face due to wearing a mask, and having itchy fingers, I picked at it. But I have noticed that the red marks have faded more quickly than usual (marks fade very slowly when you age thanks to the lack of collagen and slow skin renewal) which is a surprise.
I must admit that I never thought it would work on my skin, but it has. The few times that I have put on makeup, I’ve only made do with the bare minimum of either concealer, or just a very light base (like my favourite Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint).
Dare I say that my skin actually looks brighter and fresher than it was before, so colour me impressed!
Lightweight texture feels like water
The texture of the serum is like that of water. It comes in a nondescript packaging, that looks simply utilitarian. No bells and whistles at all.
I use just 1 pump of the serum applied all over, and it sinks right into the skin. It is incredibly light and watery.
Not drying nor uncomfortable
Much of my complaint about whitening/brightening products has been about how drying they are to the skin. However, this one isn’t.
It isn’t moisturizing, but it is comfortable enough that it doesn’t feel like my skin is drying out. Unlike many other brightening serums I’ve used, my skin actually looks healthy and clear, instead of dull and sallow.
This serum has caught me by surprise, and it’s affordable too!
I would however recommend that you allow yourselves at least 1 month, if not more, to see any results. If you have surface pigmentation or sun spots, you may find that this serum will help fade it to the point that you may not see it very clearly. I have a far more serious problem, so I don’t hold out for results of that nature.
I’m actually quite happy to repurchase when I’m done, which will take me a while yet, as it’s a generous 60ml size.
While I won’t use it in place of Vitamin C serums, I have also used it TOGETHER with a Vitamin C product, and it seems to help give it a little boost. So that’s how I’d use it moving forward 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum is a lightweight watery serum that works to brighten and even out skin tone, and even to lighten pigmentation spots. I found it quite effective at both this purposes after about a month’s regular use in the morning and occasionally in the evening as well. The results may vary from person to person, but considering I’m an avid user of Vitamin C serum products, and had given up on any topical serum working to lighten my hyperpigmentation spots, I am impressed at the results. Absolutely worth a repurchase!
PROS:
Affordable
Effective at lightening pigmentation
Skin tone looks brighter and more even toned and clear
Fades pimple redness quicklyCONS:
NoneWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a serum that may be able to visibly lighten pigmentation and even out skin tone in a gentle manner
PRICE: RM95 | US$13.60 for 60ml
WHERE TO BUY: Worthee Cosmetics (save 15% with code PARISB), Skinlex
This is the ingredient list for the Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum for those interested.
Water, Alpha-Arbutin (2% Skin Brightener), Butylene Glycol (Hydration), Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Tranexamic Acid (Skin Brightener), Panthenol (Vitamin B5), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Allantoin (Anti-Irritant), Glycerin (Hydration), Xanthan Gum (Texturizer), Citric Acid (Food-Grade pH Adjuster), Ethylhexylglycerin (Preservative), Phenoxyethanol (Preservative)
Have you tried this Skinlex 2% Alpha-Arbutin Serum?
I’d not even heard of this brand before this! I saw they have a Vitamin C serum on their website and I’m keen to try it. Pity Worthee Cosmetics doesn’t carry all their products, cos it’s just easier buying here 😀
Paris B
Oh would love to give it a try. Mind sharing where does it sit in the routine like AM or PM and before of after Vit C please?
When I use Skinlex Alpha-Arbutin, I don’t use Vitamin C serums. So for me, it’s an either/or thing. I’d use it in place of Vitamin C, so use it wherever you would use Vitamin C serums. For me, that’s immediately after cleansing my skin 🙂