Is Alpha-Arbutin Natural?

Q: Is Alpha-Arbutin natural?

Alpha-Arbutin has a Natural Origin Index (NOI) of 0.00 (scale 0–1) per ISO 16128. Alpha-arbutin is primarily synthesized from hydroquinone and an acetylating agent, with hydroquinone itself being derived from petrochemical feedstocks, resulting in a 0.0 NOI v… An NOI of 0.00 means 0% of its molecular mass is traceable to a natural, renewable source.

Learn about Alpha-Arbutin — its natural origin index (ISO 16128), feedstock sources, synthesis process, and renewability classification.

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Natural Origin Index

INCI NameAlpha-Arbutin

IUPAC Name(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)oxane-3,4,5-triol

FormulaC12H16O7

PubChem CID158637 ↗

FunctionSkin Conditioning Agent · Skin Lightening Agent

FeedstockThe primary commercial feedstock for

Chemical Structure

Learn about Alpha-Arbutin — its natural origin index (ISO 16128), feedstock sources, synthesis process, and renewability classification.

View full data on PubChem ↗

Quick Facts

INCI NameAlpha-Arbutin
IUPAC Name(2R,3S,4S,5R,6R)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)oxane-3,4,5-triol
Molecular FormulaC12H16O7
PubChem CID158637 ↗
FunctionsSkin Conditioning AgentSkin Lightening Agent
Primary FeedstockThe primary commercial feedstock for alpha-arbutin synthesis is hydroquinone, which is typically derived from benzene, a petrochemical. Acetylating agents, such as acetic anhydride, are also derived from petrochemical sources.
NOI Score0.0 / 1.0
Tier100% Petroleum

Description

Learn about Alpha-Arbutin — its natural origin index (ISO 16128), feedstock sources, synthesis process, and renewability classification.

References

1ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products — Part 2. ISO, Geneva.
2Alpha-Arbutin. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem CID 158637. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗