Compare Supplements

Side-by-side comparison of 2 supplements

Arb4.0

Alpha-Arbutin

High safety

Nia6.0

Niacinamide

High safety

Evidence

Evidence Score4/10

Studies: 6

Meta-analyses: 0

Evidence Score6/10

Studies: 7

Meta-analyses: 0

Outcome Grades

Even skin toneD

Even skin toneC

A-F grade per outcome, combining overall evidence with goal-specific relevance. A = strong evidence; F = insufficient. Hover a badge for details.

Dosage & timing

Dosage:

Topical cosmetic only. Alpha-arbutin is typically used at roughly 1-2% in leave-on serums, applied to areas of hyperpigmentation once or twice daily, usually alongside daily sunscreen and often with other brighteners. There is no oral, injectable, or systemic dose — it is not ingested. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Best Time:

Any time

Can take on empty stomach

Form:

Leave-on topical serum (≈1-2% alpha-arbutin)

Dosage:

Topical cosmetic only. Niacinamide is typically formulated at 2-5% in leave-on serums, creams, or gels and applied to clean skin once or twice daily (AM and/or PM). It layers well under sunscreen and with most other actives. There is no oral, injectable, or systemic dose in this cosmetic context — it is not ingested here. This library does not provide an ingestion protocol.

Best Time:

Any time

Can take on empty stomach

Form:

Leave-on topical serum or cream (2-5% niacinamide)

What you'll notice

ℹ️ Cosmetic, appearance-only — not a health effectneutral

Throughout

🌗 Modest brightening / more even tonepositive

8-12 weeks

✅ Generally well toleratedpositive

Throughout

ℹ️ Cosmetic, appearance-only — not a health effectneutral

Throughout

🌗 Reduced hyperpigmentation / more even tonepositive

4-12 weeks

💧 Stronger barrier, less water loss, reduced sallownesspositive

2-12 weeks

Safety

High safety

Contraindications:

For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection
Known allergy or sensitivity to arbutin or hydroquinone
Application to broken, irritated, or compromised skin until healed

Drug Interactions:

Other leave-on actives (acids, retinoids, other brighteners)

Side Effects:

Mild local irritation or rednessHydroquinone-related sensitivity (from degraded product)

High safety

Contraindications:

For topical (skin) use only — not for ingestion, not for injection (in this cosmetic context)
Known allergy or sensitivity to niacinamide or formulation excipients
Application to broken, irritated, or compromised skin until healed

Drug Interactions:

Pure ascorbic acid (vitamin C) at low pH
Strong leave-on exfoliating actives (AHAs/BHAs, retinoids)

Side Effects:

Mild local irritation or rednessTransient flushing or tingling

How they work together

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