| abstract |
Lactic acid and its derivatives such as D-lactic acid, L-lactic acid, DL-lactic acid, and their nonmetallic derivatives and lactates of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal exhibit a strong skin-whitening effect at a concentration of 5 w/w % or higher in pigment cell. The skin-whitening effect is augmented by unsaturated fatty acids having a carbon number of 12-22. |