2' de lectura
Bearberry is a shrub that grows abundantly in mountainous areas of Europe, America and Asia, whose acidic berries serve as food for bears, giving the plant its Latin name uva ursi, meaning “bearberry”. The leaf of this shrub is widely known in skin care because from it arbutin is extracted and synthesised, an effective compound with depigmenting activity that gives the plant one of its most outstanding properties, although this is not the only benefit derived from its use in cosmetics.
Hydroquinone is a molecule used in the medical approach to many hyperpigmentations and arbutin is derived from it, which serves as a cosmetic alternative to this treatment as it is capable of inhibiting the enzyme responsible for melanin formation, and consequently preventing the pigmentation generated by its stimulation. Because of its arbutin content, bearberry extract is mainly used as a skin lightening or whitening ingredient.
Arbutin is not the only active component derived from this extract. Astringents and antioxidants such as vitamin C, tannins, flavonoids and triterpenic acids can also be extracted from the leaf of this plant, giving this ingredient the ability to prevent ageing associated with environmental factors such as pollution or radiation, which are responsible for cell loss and the consequent acceleration of ageing. Another of its benefits is its ability to improve the appearance of pores and clean them, thanks to its purifying and mild astringent potential, which also gives it properties as a skin firming and tightening agent. In addition, this extract has sebum-regulating and antimicrobial qualities that improve the appearance of skins with a higher lipid content. In addition, its recognised local anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, attributed as above to ursolic acid, also makes it suitable for skin that has been affected by irritation or redness.
This is one of the ingredients that we have at Uniquely, so if your objectives include the search for more even skin and the correction of blemishes, bearberry extract will become a great option to care for your skin. Remember that including the complete extract in your cosmetic formula allows you to diversify its activity and take advantage of all its benefits for your skin.
