At least one microRNA selected from among hsa-miR-330, hsa-miR-7 and hsa-miR-137, the mature forms thereof, and the precursors thereof, for depigmenting the skin, and an in vitro method for identifying depigmenting compounds, which includes the steps of: a) placing at least one test compound in contact with a sample of melanocytes； b) measuring the expression or activity of at least one microRNA selected from among miR-330, miR-7 and miR-137, the mature forms thereof, and the precursors thereof, in the melanocytes； c) selecting the compounds for which at least 20% activation of the expression or of the activity of at least one of the microRNAs is measured in the melanocytes treated in a) by an element for comparing with the untreated melanocytes.
