The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for use in whitening comprising a Caragana sinica root extract, and more specifically relates to a cosmetic composition having an outstanding skin-whitening effect, the composition comprising a Caragana sinica root extract, a fraction thereof or α-viniferin isolated therefrom. In the present invention, the Caragana sinica root extract, fraction thereof or α-viniferin isolated therefrom inhibits tyrosinase activity and suppresses melanin production and is therefore effective in skin whitening.
