The disclosure relates to novel topical lightening compositions a skin depigmenting agent and a vehicle. There is provided a topical lightening composition comprising a substituted-4-oxobutanoic acid, ester, or amide tyrosinase inhibitor, and a vehicle. The depigmenting agents of this disclosure can be used as such or as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt including conventional non-toxic salts which include a metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt, an ammonium salt, or an organic base salt. The depigmenting agents of this disclosure can be incorporated into any cosmetically-, dermatologically-, or cosmeticatically-acceptable vehicle or carrier normally used for topical application. The compositions and methods of the disclosure are effective to lighten skin, hair, lips, and/or nails.
