Cosmetic compositions and methods, particularly for skin lightening, using compound and derivatives of general formula I and/or II as skin lightening agents alone or in combination with other skin benefit agents and together with a cosmetic vehicle: ##STR00001## Where each R, independently, represents a hydrogen atom, C.sub.1 C.sub.4 acyl group, or C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl group. Preferably, the compound is 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, i.e., where each R in the formula I is Hydrogen.