Pigmentation disorders can be an issue for all individuals, especially those with skin of color. Although the natural pigmentation in patients with skin of color provides many advantages such as sun protection and slowed signs of aging, it also increases susceptibility to hyperpigmentation, which can have a negative psychological impact. Both physicians and dermatology patients are searching for long-term topical skin care solutions (both cosmetic and cosmeceutical) to address problems presented by skin hyperpigmentation.

Traditional depigmenting agents, although highly effective, can raise several safety concerns (for example, ochronosis, atrophy, carcinogenesis, and other local or systemic side effects) with long-term exposure. Active compounds isolated from plants, such as arbutin, aloesin, gentisic acid, flavonoids, hesperidin, licorice, niacinamide, yeast derivatives, and polyphenols, inhibit melanogenesis without melanocytotoxicity by different mechanisms.

Artocarpus extract is derived from the dried Artocarpus lakoocha heartwood with the major being Oxyresveratrol.It has depigmenting effect by non-competitive inhibition of tyrosinase activity with safety profiles and available at low cost. Arbutin and Deoxyarbutin are botanicals that are structurally similar to HQ. Arbutin, causes decreased tyrosinase activity without affecting messenger RNA expression, while also inhibiting melanosome maturation without being toxic to melanocytes. Kojic acid is a hydrophilic molecule derived from species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, acting as a tyrosinase inhibitor that chelates copper at the enzyme’s active site. Licorice extracts are skin-lightening agents with the fewest side effects. Because of its benign profile, liquorice extract is one of the most widely used agents in cosmeceuticals for skin brightening. It inhibits tyrosinase, leading to inhibition of melanogenesis. Licorice extract also has topical anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Niacinamide is physiologically active amide of niacin. It has a beneficial effect on skin which includes reduction in cutaneous pigmentation by inhibition of melanosome transfer to keratinocytes, anti-inflammatory action, prevention of photo carcinogenesis and production of ceramides which enhances epidermal permeability barrier function. Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is a lipophilic antioxidant derived from cereals, nuts, vegetable oils in human body. It has a major role in scavenging free radicals and the depigmented effect can be attributed to its inhibitory action on tyrosinase and increase in intracellular glutathione. Mulberry extract is derived from the leaves of Morbus alba L, which has anti-hyperglycaemic activity. The skin lightening effect of mulberry extract is due to its inhibition of dopa oxidase activity of tyrosinase and free radical scavenger. Hyaluronic acid specifically makes up the extracellular matrix of skin which has a unique property of hydrating the skin and has an anti-ageing effect. Octinoxate is a cinnamate ester, organic sunscreen which mainly filters UVB rays.

Pigment lightening is an integral component of dermatologic therapy, and there are many safe treatments with varying degrees of efficacy that can be employed. Adding sunscreen to the treatment regimen and patient education regarding sun protection measures also will be beneficial in the management of patients with pigmentation. The management of hyperpigmentation can be challenging,