Alpha Arbutin Stability and Shelf Life
Asked by: non.ant
On: January 27, 2013
Product Type:
Cosmetics
Question
What are the stability conditions and shelf life for Alpha Arbutin, both as a raw material powder and when incorporated into a product formulation? Is it possible to visually determine if Alpha Arbutin in a product has degraded?
Answer
Based on the information provided, the stability of alpha arbutin depends heavily on the conditions, particularly pH and temperature.
- Stability in solution: Alpha arbutin is most stable in a product formulation with a pH between 3.5 and 6.5 and stored at temperatures between 10-25°C. Under these optimal conditions, it can be stable for at least 2 years. Dissolving alpha arbutin in plain water (which is typically neutral, around pH 7) may not provide these optimal conditions, potentially leading to faster degradation compared to a properly formulated product.
- Stability as raw material (powder): If stored as a powder under suitable conditions (4-10°C, protected from light and moisture), it can last for at least 3 years.
- Detecting degradation: Degradation of alpha arbutin when mixed in a product is generally not clearly visible to the naked eye. Even if the solution looks clear, the alpha arbutin may have lost its efficacy over time, especially if stored under suboptimal conditions (e.g., high pH, high temperature, exposure to light or air).