Tetrahydropyranyloxy Phenol (Deoxyarbutin) is a skin lightening agent synthesized through removal of hydroxyl groups from the glucose side-chain of beta-arbutin. Deoxyarbutin demonstrated effective inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase in vitro with a Ki that is 10-fold lower that hydroquinone (HQ) and 350-fold lower than arbutin. Topical application of Deoxyarbutin on human xenografts resulted in a gradual and visually apparent skin lightening effect during an eight-week period. In a clinical trial, Deoxyarbutin facilitated fading of pre-tanned skin to a statistically significant greater extent than either HQ or no treatment. However, the overall conclusion of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety is that the use of deoxyarbutin up to 3% in face creams is not safe. Deoxyarbutin could combat melanoma in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the proliferation and metastasis of tumour via a p38-mediated mitochondria associated apoptotic pathway.