Mulberry Extract for Melasma

A "natural skin lightener" with actual clinical-trial backing for melasma. A placebo-controlled study showed real MASI improvement. Sits well alongside vitamin C, alpha-arbutin, or niacinamide in a brightening stack.

Why it works for Melasma

Fades patches by slowing pigment production, thanks to natural compounds in white mulberry root (mulberroside and oxyresveratrol). In a placebo-controlled trial, a 75% mulberry extract oil meaningfully lowered melasma scores at 8 weeks (from 4.08 to 2.88), while placebo barely changed.

How Mulberry Extract works

Mulberroside-, oxyresveratrol-, and kuwanon-rich Moraceae extract that competitively inhibits tyrosinase and downregulates melanogenic gene expression in melanocytes; clinically reduced MASI scores in a placebo-controlled melasma trial.

Evidence

4 citations from our ingredient database. Full citation list on the Mulberry Extract ingredient page.

journal2025

Prasawang N, Sutjarit N, Sitthipunya A, et al. Inhibition of Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis by a White Mulberry Fruit Extract. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025 Aug 6;26(15):7589. — Demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis by white mulberry crude extract in B16F10 cells and zebrafish embryos without cytotoxicity.

systematic review2022

Goelzer Neto CF et al., Natural sources of melanogenic inhibitors: A systematic review, International Journal of Cosmetic Science 2022;44(2):143-153 — SR identifying Morus alba (mulberry) as a notable melanogenesis inhibitor

review2017

Zhang L et al., Moraceae Plants with Tyrosinase Inhibitory Activity: A Review, Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2017;17(13):1148-1157 — Morus alba and related Moraceae compounds demonstrate enzymatic tyrosinase inhibition and clinical whitening effects competitive with available depigmenting agents

journal2011

Alvin G et al., A comparative study of the safety and efficacy of 75% mulberry (Morus alba) extract oil versus placebo as a topical treatment for melasma, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2011;10(9):1025-1031 — RCT: topical 75% mulberry extract significantly reduced MASI and Mexameter readings and improved QoL vs placebo with minimal adverse events

Products with Mulberry Extract in our catalog

These are the catalog products that list Mulberry Extract as a tracked ingredient.

AXIS-Y

Panthenol 10 Skin Smoothing Shield Cream

$21.8 · Moisturizer

Klairs

Midnight Blue Calming Cream

$21.9 · Moisturizer

Mizon

Black Snail All in One Cream

$19 · Moisturizer

Peter Thomas Roth

Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

$56 · Treatment

BONAJOUR

Ac Control Green Tea Lotion

$16 · Moisturizer

Dude

Face + Body Cleansing Wipes, Fragrance Free

$7 · Cleanser

Full Mulberry Extract guide →Melasma overview →