Alpha Arbutin Storage and pH Stability

Regarding the storage of Alpha Arbutin, the product descriptions recommend keeping it in the refrigerator for long-term storage to maintain its quality. While the website might have mentioned room temperature, the label and detailed descriptions indicate that refrigeration is preferred for extended shelf life. Storing it at room temperature for a few days is unlikely to cause significant degradation, but for optimal preservation, especially if not used quickly, refrigeration is best.

Concerning the pH of your whitening formula containing Alpha Arbutin, the recommended pH range for Alpha Arbutin to be most stable and effective is between 3.5 and 6.5. The product description also states that Alpha Arbutin will break down into hydroquinone at a pH higher than 8. Your formula is currently at a pH between 6-7.

A pH in the range of 6-7 is slightly above the optimal range of 3.5-6.5. While it is not high enough to cause the breakdown into hydroquinone (which happens above pH 8), being outside the optimal range might lead to reduced efficacy or stability over time compared to a formula within the recommended pH.

Given that your formula is already packaged and you plan to use it within 2-3 months, the impact of the slightly higher pH might not be drastic. However, for maximum effectiveness and stability of Alpha Arbutin, adjusting the pH down to be within the 3.5-6.5 range would be ideal. Since it is already packaged, adjusting the pH now might be inconvenient, and you would need to carefully re-measure and adjust without contaminating the product. If you choose not to adjust, be aware that the performance of the Alpha Arbutin might be slightly compromised over the 2-3 month period compared to a pH-optimized formula. For future formulations, always ensure the final pH is within the 3.5-6.5 range after adding Alpha Arbutin.