Leucoderma after use of a skin-lightening cream containing kojic dipalmitate, liquorice root extract and Mitracarpus scaber extract

A lighter or whiter complexion is socially desirable in many cultures. This has led to an unregulated and highly profitable market in skin-lightening creams that are readily available over the counter or on the internet. Plant extracts and newer Tyrosinase inhibitors such as kojic acid or its derivative kojic dipalmitate are popular ingredients in these creams. We report a patient who developed depigmented patches after using such a cream.