Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Evens skin tone
- Anti-aging
- Exfoliation
- Anti-oxidation
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: low
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 0
Key actives
Product Summary
"Be Minimalist - Alpha Arbutin 02%" is effective for: Exfoliation and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging and Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product contains acids (lactic acid 2.80% - 4.20%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 1.40% - 2.10% and lactic acid 2.80% - 4.20%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 9.99$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-oxidation
This product contains antioxidants (ferulic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
In a study, Butyresorcinol exhibited 20 times more potent inhibitory activity than Kojic Acid Ferulic Acid Potent antioxidant that reverses signs of sun damage (UV exposure), and makes skin look even & healthier overall
Source: Minimalist
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: alpha-arbutin, lactic acid
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: ferulic acid.
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
Exfoliation
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: lactic acid.
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
In a study, Butyresorcinol exhibited 20 times more potent inhibitory activity than Kojic Acid Ferulic Acid Potent antioxidant that reverses signs of sun damage (UV exposure), and makes skin look even & healthier overall
Source: Minimalist
This product contains ferulic acid, lactic acid. These ingredients might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Moisturizing
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": lactic acid, sodium hyaluronate.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Evens skin tone | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 87/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
No comedogenic ingredients detected
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| Product | Similarity | Price | Irritancy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Be Minimalist Alpha Arbutin 02% | Current | $9.99 | |
 skinmade Vitamin C E + Alpha Arbutin serum | 53% | $25.49 | |
 Urban Skin Rx HydraFirm + Brightening Serum | 52% | $23.00 | |
 frank body Collagen Boost Serum | 52% | $25.00 |
Key Actives
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
Potential irritants
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Comedogenic ingredients
We couldn't find any comedogenic ingredients in this product
All ingredients
Used to dissolve other ingredients in a product and can enhance their ability to penetrate the skin
Might help reduce hyperpigmentation when used regularly over a long period of time. Is more effective than beta-arbutin
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
A potent anti-oxidant that has been shown to be effective in neutralizing free radicals in skin. There seem to have a synergetic effect of ferulic acid, vitamin E and C, meaning that when the ingredients are used together, they enhance each other's ability protect the skin against free radicals. Ferulic acid also helps to stabilize other ingredients - including vitamins C and E. It can help to even out the skin tone. Ferulic acid is approved for use as a sunscreen ingredient in Japan in concentrations up to 10%
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Used to improve stability of the formulation
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethyl isosorbide, Ethoxydiglycol, Alpha-arbutin, Lactic acid, Pentylene glycol, Ferulic acid, Sodium hyaluronate, 4-butylresorcinol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Triethanolamine, Peg/ppg-17/6 copolymer, Isoceteth-20, Xanthan gum, Lecithin, Sclerotium gum, Pullulan, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
- Activity enhancement of ferulic acid with dimethyl isosorbride in cosmetic compositions
- Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid
- Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
- Ferulic Acid: Therapeutic Potential Through Its Antioxidant Property
- Ferulic acid stabilizes a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection of skin