Bearberry

Dr Oz has just given his seal of approval to bearberry as anti-aging ingredient to incorporate into our lives. So what is bearberry? Are there bearberry side effects and are there creams and serums with bearberry that we should be checking out?

Bearberry contains something called arbutin, which is a natural skin brightener. Arbutin works by blocking tyrosinase, the enzymes that get activated by UV light ultimately form melanins - we are talking freckles and age spots.

Most skin lighteners and brighteners, such as hydroquinone, have side effects. The exfoliating types such as glycolic acid will make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Bearberry, on the other hand, has the added bonus of having sun protection properties and may reduce the degree of skin tanning after sun exposure.

Where to find bearberry and arbutin:

La Vie Celeste Restorative Exfoliating Gel Mask ($60 in the shop). A lovely face mask that gives the skin a dewy glow. Bearberry is given a boost by a 5% concentration of pure glycolic acid in an organic aloe vera base. Gentle exfoliation is provided by bamboo grains. A great way to kick start an anti-aging beauty regimen.

La Vie Celeste Restorative Rose Hydrosol Eye Cream ($60 in the shop). As well as our friend bearberry, this anti-aging eye cream has a very interesting peptide, caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, that helps firm up sagging skin. There are tons of antioxidants and actives that help reduce dark under eye circles and puffiness.

Your Best Face Restore ($120). This is an advanced vitamin C serum designed to diminish dark spots with the help of alpha arbutin. There is also niacinamide, a vitamin B, and lipochroman-6, a free radical scavenger.

Arcona Instant Magic Reversal Serum ($105 in the shop). A serum that packs its punches with a smart antioxidant called spin trap and milk thistle. There’s a stable and potent form of vitamin C, called MAP.  Sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid provide hydration and alpha arbutin is center stage.

Sweetsation Lumi Essence Body Organic Advanced Brightening Repair Treatment ($48 in the shop). Lumi*Essence Body is meant to visibly correct dark spots caused by sun damage and help even skin tone. Not merely content with alpha arbutin, there is kojic acid, niacinamide and the natural exfoliators, pineapple and papaya.