1.In medicine, it is used as a diuretic and an anti-infective drug for the urinary system. It is also used as a color photography development stabilizer, and in cosmetics for whitening, freckle removal, hair care, etc.

2.A glycosylated hydroquinone used in the research of melatonin biosynthesis and as an inhibitor for the recognition, differentiation and identification of tyrosinase. Arbutin is a glycosylated hydroquinone extracted from bearberry plants. As a known tyrosinase inhibitor, arbutin can in turn prevent the formation of melanin. It is often used as a whitening agent in cosmetics.

3.It inhibits the tyrosinase activity of melanocytes and suppresses melanin production by inhibiting melanin synthase.