The invention relates to cosmetic agents for lightening the skin and/or age spots, containing at least an extract of Opuntia Ficus Indica; at least an extract from the Brassicae plants and 2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethoxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-(phenyl methylene)-1H-inden-1-one (benzylidene dimethoxydimethylindanone), which are characterized by particularly good skin-lightening properties that can be utilized also under UV radiation (sunlight).