COSRX
The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum (Single)
COSRX's discoloration serum, pairing niacinamide with tranexamic acid and 2% alpha-arbutin alongside madecassoside, worn after toner both morning and evening in the single-bottle size.
No reviews yet- Ships from our California warehouse
- Duties prepaid
- Suited to
- DryDehydratedSensitiveCompromised barrier
- Helps with
- DehydrationBarrier weaknessEarly environmental damageUneven tone and dullness
Sold out.
Tell us where to send it
One email, the moment this exact unit is back in stock. Not a newsletter and not a sequence, and your address comes off the list the second it is sent.
- Duties prepaid
- 30-day returns
- Free US shipping on orders of $100 or more
- Dispatched within 2 business days
How it works
Uneven tone is slow work, and a serum aimed at it earns its place by being wearable every day rather than by being strong. This one carries niacinamide and tranexamic acid, with alpha-arbutin and acetyl glucosamine behind them and madecassoside further along to keep the base calm. It goes on after toner and before moisturizer, morning and evening, pressed in on damp skin. Marks left behind by old spots, and patches that show most in photographs, are the case it fits. Sunscreen every morning is the other half of that work.
Key benefits
- Niacinamide and tranexamic acid lead the list ahead of the alpha-arbutin.
- Alpha-arbutin is declared at 2%, matching the name.
- Five hyaluronate and hyaluronic-acid entries round out the hydrating base.
- Madecassoside, licorice root extract and ferulic acid sit further down the list.
Key actives
Niacinamide
supports a clearer, more even look
Tranexamic Acid
targets the look of uneven tone
Alpha-Arbutin
declared at 2%, the brightening active in the name
COSRX The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum (Single)
How does alpha-arbutin at 2% relate to niacinamide and tranexamic acid on this list?
Niacinamide is fourth on the list and tranexamic acid fifth, both ahead of alpha-arbutin, which is declared at 2% in the seventh position. All three are associated with a more even-looking tone, so this serum layers three tone-focused ingredients rather than relying on alpha-arbutin alone. Madecassoside and ferulic acid appear further down as supporting antioxidant and calming ingredients.
Does this serum contain silicone, and does that matter for my skin?
Yes, dimethicone appears in the first half of the list and methyl trimethicone appears further down, so this is not a silicone-free formula. Those ingredients typically contribute to a smoother, more slip-friendly texture during application rather than an active skin effect. Anyone specifically avoiding silicones in their routine should be aware of both before choosing this serum.
How long does it take for dark spots to look more even with this serum?
Alpha-arbutin, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid all work by supporting a more even-looking tone over weeks of consistent use rather than fading discoloration after a few applications. Madecassoside and licorice root extract sit further down the list as additional supporting ingredients for that same gradual process. Most people apply this daily for six to eight weeks before judging whether tone has visibly shifted, and results vary by skin.
Can this serum be used alongside a brightening product in the same routine?
Nothing on this ingredient list is known to conflict with a separate brightening serum used earlier or later in the routine, and both are commonly paired for tone-focused routines. Sodium hyaluronate and several hyaluronic acid forms further down the list support hydration alongside either product. As with any new combination, introduce one product at a time and watch how skin responds before using both daily.
How do I confirm this single bottle is the authentic Korean-market version?
This bottle's barcode, 8809598454880, is a genuine EAN for this specific product, so checking that it matches your packaging is a useful first step. COSRX runs a separate verification system as well: the batch number and expiration date printed on your unit are entered at the checking page on cosrx.com, read directly from the box rather than a listing. Using the barcode and the batch verification together gives the most complete confirmation.
- Ships from
- California
Duties are prepaid. Nothing is owed at delivery. Returns are accepted for 30 days, by mail.
Orders ship from our California warehouse, dispatched within 2 business days, and arrive in 3 to 5 days. Shipping is free on orders of $100 or more.
We split shipments free, so one out-of-stock item never holds up the rest of your order.
Where this unit came from
- 1Seoul
Bought as Korean-market stock - 2Customs
Duty paid by us before it enters the US - 3California
Ships domestically, no international leg
We stock the version of a formula that is sold in Korea, not the release a brand prepares for another market under the same name.
Every unit keeps its original barcode and batch code intact, so the unit in your hands can be checked against the brand’s own records.
Import duties are paid by us before the parcel reaches you, so nothing is owed at the door, and returns run for 30 days.
Every claim on this page traces to the unit in the box, the barcode, the batch code and the price you can read for yourself.
Payment and security
We accept
How to use
- Use the Alpha-Arbutin Discoloration Care Serum after toner and before moisturizer, morning and evening.
- Three or four drops covers the face. Press it in with flat palms rather than rubbing it around.
- Toner first, this second, then moisturizer, and sunscreen last in the morning.
- Twice a day, every day, and give it eight weeks. Do not skip the sunscreen; work on uneven tone is undone by daily sun.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Tell us how much you love the product!
Write Reviews (opens in a new tab)We’re on gram!
Creators trying on authentic Korean skincare routines and products from us.
Rating a shelf of Dr. Althea products one by one.
Jasmine Loo · YouTube
Two hydrating serums side by side, IUNIK and Dr. Althea.
Kristin · YouTube
A walk through the Dr. Althea serum lineup and who each one suits.
auraofmahmuda · YouTube
A blunt first take on the Dr. Althea range.
Lexi Chang · YouTube
A first look at the viral 345 Relief Cream before buying.
Shelley Nayak · YouTube
A first try of the Dr. Althea serum on camera.
Hannah Ziad · YouTube
COSRX, Korean-market original
Alpha-Arbutin 2% discoloration serum (Single).
Verify your unit when it arrives
Verify your unit when it arrives
Korean-market stock with the original barcode and batch code intact, exactly as it left Korea.
COSRX verifies units itself. Find the verification page on cosrx.com and enter the batch number and expiration date printed on your unit. Read them off the package rather than from us, which is the point.
Source: COSRX FAQ
On the unit itself
- The Korean-market barcode, unaltered from the retail package.
- The manufacturer’s batch code, exactly as the maker printed it.
정품Genuine article, Korean-market stock
What professionals say
What professionals say
What skin-care professionals say about the key actives in this formula, quoted from the medical sources linked beside each.
Topical tranexamic acid 5% cream is under investigation in the treatment of melasma and is showing promising results in the treatment of epidermal-type melasma.
Faisal R AliConsultant Dermatologist, DermNet NZ Arbutin works to inhibit tyrosinase, an enzyme present in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. This results in less pigment, dark spots and skin lightening.
Tiffany Jow Libby, MDBoard-certified dermatologist, mindbodygreen
1 more professional perspective
Niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of pores in a few ways. By strengthening the skin barrier and improving elasticity, pores appear less noticeable and more even.
Ashlyn YankeAesthetician, Cleveland Clinic
Ask an AI assistant about this product
Ask an AI assistant about this product
Opens ChatGPT, Perplexity or Claude in a new tab with the question prefilled. Claude asks you to sign in first.