Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a small evergreen shrub native to North America, Europe, and Asia. The plant’s leaves have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties and have recently gained attention in the skincare industry for their skin-lightening and brightening effects. This comprehensive guide provides an overview of bearberry, its uses, benefits, and considerations for skincare professionals and estheticians.
Active Compounds in Bearberry:
The primary active compound in bearberry leaves is Arbutin, a naturally occurring glycoside that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for melanin production. This property makes bearberry an effective ingredient in skincare products that target hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone. Additionally, bearberry leaves contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids and tannins, which help protect the skin from oxidative stress and free radical damage.
Uses and Benefits in Beauty and Aesthetics:
- Hyperpigmentation Treatment: Bearberry extract is effective in treating various types of hyperpigmentation, including age spots, melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, due to its Arbutin content.
- Skin Brightening: By inhibiting melanin production, bearberry extract can help brighten the skin and create a more even complexion.
- Antioxidant Protection: The antioxidants in bearberry, such as flavonoids and tannins, protect the skin from free radical damage and environmental stressors, promoting overall skin health.
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Bearberry extract has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe and calm irritated or inflamed skin.
- Safe Alternative to Hydroquinone: Bearberry extract is considered a safer alternative to hydroquinone, a potent skin-lightening agent that has been linked to potential side effects and skin irritation.
Here are some popular skincare products containing Bearberry extract in their ingredients list, along with their benefits and other main ingredients that contribute to their effectiveness:
- Eminence Organics Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum: This booster-serum targets hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone using Bearberry extract, along with licorice root to brighten and lighten the skin. Additional ingredients include Gigawhite™, a blend of natural brightening agents, and stone crop to hydrate and nourish the skin. Main ingredients: Bearberry Extract, Licorice Root, Gigawhite™, Stone Crop.
- John Masters Organics Bearberry Skin Balancing Face Serum: This lightweight serum is formulated to balance oil production and minimize pore size using Bearberry extract for its skin-brightening properties. It also contains rice extract to absorb excess oil and aloe vera for soothing and hydrating the skin. Main ingredients: Bearberry Extract, Rice Extract, Aloe Vera.
- Andalou Naturals Luminous Eye Serum: This eye serum is designed to brighten and revitalize the delicate skin around the eyes, utilizing Bearberry extract to help reduce the appearance of dark circles and hyperpigmentation. It also contains Vitamin C to promote collagen production and green coffee extract for its antioxidant properties. Main ingredients: Bearberry Extract, Vitamin C, Green Coffee Extract.
- 100% Pure® Brightening Scrub + Mask: This dual-action scrub and mask uses Bearberry extract, along with kojic acid, to help lighten dark spots and promote an even skin tone. The product also contains jojoba beads for gentle exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and promoting skin cell turnover. Main ingredients: Bearberry Extract, Kojic Acid, Jojoba Beads.
- Burt’s Bees Brightening Even Skin Tone Moisturizing Cream: This daily moisturizing cream features Bearberry extract to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and even out skin tone. It also contains daisy extract for its skin-brightening properties and sunflower oil to nourish and hydrate the skin. Main ingredients: Bearberry Extract, Daisy Extract, Sunflower Oil.
These Bearberry-containing skincare products offer various benefits, such as skin brightening, reduction of hyperpigmentation, and improvement of overall skin tone. By incorporating these products into a skincare routine, clients can experience enhanced skin health and a more radiant complexion.