Skin Lightening Effects of Echinacea

Have dark skin spots from the sun or aging? Lab studies suggest echinacea could have skin lightening effects.

How Does Echinacea Work as a Skin Lightener?

Whole root extract from Echinacea purpurea significantly blocks tyrosinase activity. Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in the production of melanin pigment in the skin. Tyrosinase inhibitors are used to treat dark skin spots.^{(128, 129, 132)}

This may be due to the cichoric acid compounds in echinacea. In a separate study, lab tests showed cichoric acid strongly inhibits tyrosinase.⁽¹²⁸⁾

Echinacea also contain caftaric acid and echinacoside. Research suggests both of these plant compounds have antioxidant and skin lightening effects. In lab studies, echinacoside significantly blocked tyrosinase activity — even more than arbutin, a common cosmetic skin lightening ingredient.^(132, 133)