The present invention relates to the use of at least one compatible solute and/or its physiologically acceptable salt for countering age-related skin color change or for the suppression and/or reduction of protein carbonylation and/or for the suppression and/or reduction of the accumulation of carbonylated proteins in the stratum corneum. The invention is further directed to formulations comprising at least one compatible solute and/or its physiologically acceptable salt and at least one further skin pore lightening active, as well as a process for preparing such formulation.
