A Review of Current Research on Natural Skin Whitening Products

Abstract

In the Eastern world, having white skin is considered a key factor for looking beautiful, resulting in many consumers desiring to have white skin and continuous growth in the whitening cosmeceuticals market. Hundreds of companies, including AmorePacific and LG Household & Health Care, have developed and released products in this market, increasing their range in a systematic and strategic manner through market survey and analysis. In the cosmetics industry, it is important to develop high-performance chemicals that are suited to the properties of the skin. However, safety is even more critical because these products will be applied to the human body, and side effects of whitening agents and drugs have recently been reported. Therefore, there is a need for continued research not only to improve these properties but also to enhance mid-and long-term growth in the market. The aim of this study was to review current research on natural skin whitening products and to examine their ingredients, with a particular focus on Prunus persica Flos, Phellodendron amurense , Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau, Zanthoxylum schnifolium , Dendropanax morbifera , and Broussonetia kazinoki. Prunus persica Flos, Phellodendron amurense and Dendropanax morbifera have shown the high inhibition rate of melanin biosynthesis, and Cudrania tricuspidata Bureau and Zanthoxylum schnifolium have shown the inhibition of oxidization by inhibiting tyrosinase. Broussonetia kazinoki have shown the effect of anti-oxidant by eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS).