Disclosed are extracts of Sophora alopecuroides L. as cosmetic skin lightening agents alone or in combination with other skin benefit agents and together with a cosmetic vehicle. Also disclosed are active ingredients in the extracts, including Alopecurone A, Alopecurone B, Sophoraflavone-G, Sophoraflavone-I, Sophoraflavone-K, and mixtures thereof. The inventive extracts, compositions and methods have effective skin lightening properties, may be easier to deliver to the skin and are available in nature.