Alpha-arbutin is considered safe for consumer products in concentrations up to 2% in face creams, and up to 0.5% in body lotions.

Human Malignant melanoma cells (HMV-II) were plated with 10 mL of medium in a 100 mm dish and incubated for 10 days. Cells were treated with various concentrations of alpha-arbutin which were included as a component of the growth media. The medium was refreshed on days 1, 4, and 7. Cell proliferation was determined by counting with a hemocytometer. Melanin was extracted from lysed cells and quantified by measuring absorbance at 470 nm. Cellular tyrosinase activity was assayed using L-DOPA as a substrate while monitoring absorbance at 475 nm for a 3 hour period. The cellular content of melanin was reduced by addition of alpha-arbutin in a dose-dependent manner. Alpha-arbutin did not inhibit cell viability at 1 mM, but a small reduction was noted at 2 mM. The cellular tyrosinase activity was reduced to 60% of control at a concentration of 0.5 mM alpha-arbutin.