Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ: Skin Brighteners - Hydroquinone vs. Arbutin

Joel Schlessinger, MD

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUTSkin Brighteners:Hydroquinone vs. Arbutin

Interested in learning more or setting up an appointment? Call 402.334.7546 or visit http://www.LovelySkin.com/Nu-Derm System to browse our full selection of products.

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Hydroquinone is a powerful skin lightening ingredient that decreases the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Melanin is comprised of melanosomes, or pigment granules, that hydroquinone breaks down. The ingredient also inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to produce melanin. Hydroquinone is the best skin lightening ingredient on the market, but due to its potency sensitive skin may not tolerate it in high concentrations. It is also not recommended for use while pregnant or breastfeeding.

What is hydroquinone?




Arbutin is a gentler alternative to hydroquinone because it also has melanin-inhibiting properties. It is derived from the leaves of blackberry shrub, cranberry, blueberry, mushrooms and pears. Arbutin has the power to block tyrosinase, the enzyme that produces melanin, to minimize and prevent dark spots. It is less irritating than hydroquinone, making it an ideal brightener for sensitive skin, but it is only about one-fourth of the strength of 4% hydroquinone.

What is arbutin?

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Hydroquinone is the best and most effective ingredient for skin lightening because it bleaches dark spots and hyperpigmented areas. It is ideal for mature skin types or those who struggle with conditions such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Due to its potency, hydroquinone may irritate sensitive skin. Arbutin is gentler alternative for brightening. This ingredient leaves skin with a vibrant glow by stopping melanin from dulling your complexion. Arbutin is suitable for all skin types but is not as effective as 4% hydroquinone.

How are they different?

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Obagi Nu-Derm is an effective line of powerful products formulated to address sun-damaged skin that appears dull. This line is ideal for improving age spots, rough skin, redness, sallowness and hyperpigmentation. Obagi Nu-Derm includes two separate systems: one uses 4% hydroquinone to brighten skin while the non-hydroquinone formula employs 7% arbutin.

What is Obagi Nu-Derm?

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Obagi-C FX is a system that contains hydroquinone-free products to address dark spots and prevent future damage. This system evens skin tone with 4% and 7% arbutin while also providing antioxidant protection with 10% vitamin C, which has the power to reduce wrinkles and minimize dark spots.

What is Obagi-C FX?

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LYTERA is a skin brightening system from SkinMedica that uses a proprietary blend of ingredients, including retinol, to achieve a more even skin tone. This system lightens dark spots while addressing signs of aging. Its strength is on par with that of other arbutin-containing products.

What is SkinMedica LYTERA?

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Because hydroquinone is the most powerful ingredient for lightening dark spots and evening skin tone, the Obagi Nu-Derm systems containing hydroquinone are the most effective solutions for brightening dull complexions. Obagi Nu-Derm is ideal for mature skin and those who struggle with conditions such as melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Without hydroquinone, the Obagi-C Fx and LYTERA systems are gentler options best suited for sensitive skin or those who would rather not use hydroquinone and do not mind that their results will not be as dramatic as with the products containing 4% hydroquinone.

How do they compare?




This system contains seven products formulated to treat and protect your complexion. Obagi Nu-Derm Transformation System - Normal to Dry utilizes powerful 4% hydroquinone to fade skin discoloration. It also renews skin and reduces wrinkles.

Obagi Nu-Derm Transformation System - Normal to Dry

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Obagi Nu-Derm Transformation System - Normal to Oily brightens your complexion using 4% hydroquinone. The seven products in this kit fade discoloration, reduce signs of aging, soften a rough texture and control excess oil.

Obagi Nu-Derm Transformation System - Normal to Oily

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The seven products in Obagi Nu-Derm Fx Starter System - Normal to Oily Skin (New Hydroquinone-Free Formula) lighten and brighten your complexion using 7% arbutin. This system also minimizes wrinkles and controls excess oil.

Obagi Nu-Derm Fx Starter System - Normal to Oily Skin (New Hydroquinone-Free Formula)

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To brighten a dry complexion, Obagi Nu-Derm Fx Starter System - Normal to Dry Skin (New Hydroquinone-Free Formula) contains seven hydroquinone-free products that minimize discoloration with 7% arbutin. This system also hydrates skin while fighting signs of aging.

Obagi Nu-Derm Fx Starter System - Normal to Dry Skin (New Hydroquinone-Free Formula)

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This skin care system includes five hydroquinone-free products that employ melanin-inhibiting 4% and 7% arbutin to improve the appearance of dark spots. Each formula included in Obagi-C Fx System - Normal to Dry Skin provides antioxidant protection with 10% vitamin C.

Obagi-C Fx System - Normal to Dry Skin

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Interested in learning more or setting up an appointment? Call 402.334.7546 or visit http://www.LovelySkin.com/LINK to browse our full selection of products.

http://www.lovelyskin.com/o/obagi-c-fx-system-normal-to-dry-skin





Obagi-C Fx System - Normal to Oily Skin includes five products that contain 4 % and 7% arbutin to inhibit melanin production, creating an even tone and fading dark spots. This system also provides antioxidant protection with 10% vitamin C to smooths fine lines and wrinkles while brightening.

Obagi-C Fx System - Normal to Oily Skin

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Interested in learning more or setting up an appointment? Call 402.334.7546 or visit http://www.LovelySkin.com/LINK to browse our full selection of products.

http://www.lovelyskin.com/o/obagi-c-fx-system-normal-to-oily-skin





To brighten dull skin and diminish dark spots, SkinMedica LYTERA Skin Brightening System with Retinol Complex 0.5 includes three products and a free gift that work together to improve discoloration. This system uses retinol to reduce visible signs of aging and is hydroquinone-free.

SkinMedica LYTERA Skin Brightening System with Retinol Complex 0.5

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SkinMedica LYTERA Skin Brightening System with Retinol Complex 1.0 includes three brightening products and one free gift that work together to target dull skin. These hydroquinone-free products utilize retinol to improve skin’s tone and texture. This system contains a higher concentration of retinol, making it ideal for skin already accustomed to a lower dose of retinol.

SkinMedica LYTERA Skin Brightening System with Retinol Complex 1.0

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Health & Medicine

Joel Schlessinger MD FAQ: Skin Brighteners - Hydroquinone vs. Arbutin