Kao Corporation

Akiko Kawasaki

Daiki Murase

Mamiko Kikuchi

Naoki Oya

Akira Hachiya

Junko Ishikawa

Yoshiya Sugai

Kei Takano

Mitsuru Sugiyama

Yoshie Shimotoyodome

Keigo Kawabata

Shino Mitsunaga

Shi Chen

To provide an inhibitor of melanin decomposition, which inhibits decomposition of melanin in keratinocytes to accelerate accumulation of melanin in skin and hair. An inhibitor of melanin decomposition in keratinocytes, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a plant extract containing berberine or a salt thereof, berberine or a salt thereof, proguanil or a salt thereof and phenformin or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Melanin decomposition inhibitor

A transglutaminase activator containing at least one kind selected from the group consisting of an extract from, an extract from, and a compound represented by Formula (1), as an active ingredient: 

Transglutaminase activator

Provided are a very safe skin whitening agent, melanin production inhibitor, and dopa oxidase activity inhibitor. Use of kitsunenomago or an organic solvent extract thereof to inhibit the dopa oxidase activity.

Skin-lightening agent

The invention provides a method for inhibiting dopa oxidase activity, for inhibiting melanin production, or for whitening skin using haguro-so or an organic solvent extract thereof, or a compound of formula (I): 

Skin whitening agent

Growing community of inventors

Utsunomiya, Japan

Akiko Kawasaki