Compositions for topical use and having a melanin synthesis-inhibiting activity that include an amount of a botanical extract of at least one of Aspalathus Linearis, Matricaria, Saxifraga, Astragalus, Taraxacum officinale/mongolicum, Ferula varia/foetida, Carthamus tinctorius, Sophora flavescentis, or Chrysanthemum morifolium effective to reduce melanin synthesis are described. Methods for inhibiting melanin synthesis and for skin whitening are also described.