There is provided a composition having at least one of the following active extracts Butea frondosa, Naringi crenulata, Stenoloma chusana, or any combinations thereof. There is also provided a composition having at least one of the following additional extracts Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra linn., Morinda citrifolia, tomato glycolipid or any combinations thereof in combination with one or more of the active extracts. The compositions and methods of the invention are effective to lighten hair, skin, lips and/or nails.