Arctostaphylos uva ursi is a small procumbent woody groundcover shrub with evergreen leaves and red berries. The leaves are used as an herbal remedy to treat urinary tract infections, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and bronchitis. It is used for its anti-bacterial, astringent, and anti-inflammatory effects. The dried leaves are also consumed as a tea or a tonic for stomach and urinary disorders. The leaves contain various phytochemicals, including arbutin, ursolic acid, quercetin, tannic acid, gallic acid, and tannins. Among those phytochemicals, arbutin, the main active compound, is well known for melanin synthesis inhibition, suggesting the cosmetic use of bearberry would be effective for skin brightening.