Herbal Skin Lightening Effects

Research suggests that astragalus may be a safe option as an active ingredient in skin-whitening products.⁽²³⁸⁾

How Does Astragalus Lighten Skin?

Melanin is the compound in certain skin cells that causes pigmentation. Research shows astragalus and its compounds can suppress factors related to the over-production of skin pigment.^{(30, 238, 239)}

By itself, astragalus extract blocks activation of the gene responsible for melanin. Astragalus compounds also act as a tyrosinase inhibitors. Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in two reactions critical to the production of skin pigment.^{(30, 238, 239)}

Suppressing this enzyme can help reduce melanin. Astragalus membranaceus contains compounds that naturally block tyrosinase, which could help lighten areas of skin darkened by hyperpigmentation. Lab studies showed the following:

• A flavonoid compound demonstrated an almost 50% reduction of melanin production.⁽²³⁹⁾
• Polysaccharide compounds showed a dose-dependent inhibition of melanin.⁽³⁰⁾

But extract from seeds of another astragalus species—A. sinicus—may be an even better option. Recent lab tests demonstrated almost 94% inhibition of tyrosinase, resulting in a reduction of over 62% melanin concentration in the skin cells tested. In addition, the extract also showed anti-wrinkle effects.⁽¹⁵⁾

Another species, Astragalus ponticus, also shows moderate to strong inhibition of tyrosinase.⁽²⁴⁰⁾