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  <xs:element id="arqt_TemporaryEquityStockIssuedDuringPeriodPricePerShare" abstract="false" name="TemporaryEquityStockIssuedDuringPeriodPricePerShare" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:perShareItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_TemporaryEquityValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities" abstract="false" name="TemporaryEquityValueConversionOfConvertibleSecurities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeaseTenantImprovementAllowance" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseTenantImprovementAllowance" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_StockIssuedDuringPeriodVestingOfFounderSharesSubjectToRepurchaseShares" abstract="false" name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodVestingOfFounderSharesSubjectToRepurchaseShares" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_CashAndCashEquivalentsAndDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosure" abstract="false" name="CashAndCashEquivalentsAndDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardBaseNumberOfOptionsIssuable" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardBaseNumberOfOptionsIssuable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_TemporaryEquitySharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities" abstract="false" name="TemporaryEquitySharesConversionOfConvertibleSecurities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LeaseDescriptionDomain" abstract="true" name="LeaseDescriptionDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseLiabilities" abstract="false" name="IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingLeaseLiabilities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityToBePaidAfterYearFour" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseLiabilityToBePaidAfterYearFour" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ClinicalTrialAccrualCurrent" abstract="false" name="ClinicalTrialAccrualCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ServiceConditionRestrictedStockMember" abstract="true" name="ServiceConditionRestrictedStockMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_EmergingGrowthCompanyStatusPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="EmergingGrowthCompanyStatusPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_A2020EquityIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="A2020EquityIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_PerformanceConditionRestrictedStockMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceConditionRestrictedStockMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_StockIssuedDuringPeriodLapseOfRepurchaseRightsRelatedToCommonStockIssuedPursuantToEarlyExercisesShares" abstract="false" name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodLapseOfRepurchaseRightsRelatedToCommonStockIssuedPursuantToEarlyExercisesShares" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_HawkeyeMember" abstract="true" name="HawkeyeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_CollaborationAgreementThresholdOfProceedsFromStockIssuanceForAdditionalConsideration" abstract="false" name="CollaborationAgreementThresholdOfProceedsFromStockIssuanceForAdditionalConsideration" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeaseSquareFootageOfLeasedSpace" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseSquareFootageOfLeasedSpace" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:areaItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_WestlakeVillageCaliforniaLeaseArrangementMember" abstract="true" name="WestlakeVillageCaliforniaLeaseArrangementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardIncreaseInNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrantPercentageOfSharesOutstanding" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardIncreaseInNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrantPercentageOfSharesOutstanding" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_StockOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingMember" abstract="true" name="StockOptionsIssuedAndOutstandingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeaseLetterOfCreditRequirement" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseLetterOfCreditRequirement" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_StockIssuedDuringPeriodLapseOfRepurchaseRightsPursuantToEarlyStockExercises" abstract="false" name="StockIssuedDuringPeriodLapseOfRepurchaseRightsPursuantToEarlyStockExercises" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_PreclinicalAndClinicalAccrualsAndCostsPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="PreclinicalAndClinicalAccrualsAndCostsPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_CollaborativeArrangementNumeratorForDeterminingAdditionalConsideration" abstract="false" name="CollaborativeArrangementNumeratorForDeterminingAdditionalConsideration" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_PrepaidClinicalTrialTestCostsCurrent" abstract="false" name="PrepaidClinicalTrialTestCostsCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_TemporaryEquityStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" abstract="false" name="TemporaryEquityStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_SecondaryEquityPublicOfferingMember" abstract="true" name="SecondaryEquityPublicOfferingMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeaseFreeRentPeriod" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseFreeRentPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_EarlyExercisedOptionsMember" abstract="true" name="EarlyExercisedOptionsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_VariableInterestEntitiesNumberOfSharesHeld" abstract="false" name="VariableInterestEntitiesNumberOfSharesHeld" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardBaseAmountOfCommonStockSharesAuthorized" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardBaseAmountOfCommonStockSharesAuthorized" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersMaximumProductMilestonePayments" abstract="false" name="ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersMaximumProductMilestonePayments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesVestingOnAMonthlyBasis" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesVestingOnAMonthlyBasis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumSharesIssuable" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumSharesIssuable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LeaseDescriptionAxis" abstract="true" name="LeaseDescriptionAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeasePaymentPeriodAfterTenantImprovements" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeasePaymentPeriodAfterTenantImprovements" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_CommonStockVotingRightsNumberOfVotesPerShare" abstract="false" name="CommonStockVotingRightsNumberOfVotesPerShare" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_A2017EquityIncentivePlanMember" abstract="true" name="A2017EquityIncentivePlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_StockAwardsFutureGrantMember" abstract="true" name="StockAwardsFutureGrantMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_LesseeOperatingLeaseInitialBaseRent" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseInitialBaseRent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ReductionOfRightOfUseAssetUponReassessmentOfLeaseTerm" abstract="false" name="ReductionOfRightOfUseAssetUponReassessmentOfLeaseTerm" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementPaymentsMilestonesOrRoyalties" abstract="false" name="ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementPaymentsMilestonesOrRoyalties" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_AstraZenecaMember" abstract="true" name="AstraZenecaMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersMaximumSalesMilestonePayments" abstract="false" name="ResearchAndDevelopmentArrangementContractToPerformForOthersMaximumSalesMilestonePayments" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="arqt_UnauditedInterimCondensedFinancialStatementsPolicyPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="UnauditedInterimCondensedFinancialStatementsPolicyPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
