Featured Ingredient: Rumex Extract

One of the most new skin lightening ingredients to be discovered is rumex extract. It is derived from the Rumex Genus plants. What's  exciting is that rumex extract is shown to be a highly effective tyrosinase inhibitor (enzyme that produces skin color), significantly outperforming hydroquinone and arbutin (in the area of inhibiting tyrosinase, not disruption of melanin transfer, but still very impressive on that front as well) while maintaining efficacy comparable to kojic acid also can be created into a synergy, if combined with other enzyme inhibitors like kojic acid and arbutin.

I talk a lot about various tyrosinase inhibitors on my blog, but how crucial are they to a skin lightening or even a skin brightening regimen? Well, tyrsoinase inhibition suppresses the formation of unwanted pigmentation, such as dark spots and blotchy, uneven skin tone. The melanin that bypasses the rumex extract goes on to the process of melanogenesis. That is where skin lightening ingredients that disrupt the transfer of melanin come in (bearberry extract, niacinamide, soy, paper mulberry etc.) Check my new FAQ section up top for more on this.

Inhibiting tyrosinase also reduces the creation of new pigment -  particular UV induced pigmentation. Basically, reduce the tyrosinase, and you reduce the amount of melanin that gets produced.

Combining rumex extract with other enzyme inhibitors ensures strong suppression of dark spots or any area of your skin that has concentrated melanin or blotchiness. Rumex extract on its own works very well though, so it doesn't need other tyrsoinase inhibiting ingredients to see visible results.

Like with most skin lighteners however, the efficacy of rumex extract is strengthened when in the presence of an exfoliant like AHA, BHA or a retinoid. This ensures penetration, a quicker skin lightening process and removal of old, pigmented cells.

Interesting Articles/Studies to read:

Tyrosinase Inhibitors: Activity of a Rumex Extract in Combination with Kojic Acid and Arbutin

Rumex Extract Background

Tyrosinase Inhibitors from Plants

Recommended products that contain Rumex Extract:

Reversa Anti-Spot Night Care

Reversa UV Anti-Spot Lightening Cream <--not a valid sunscreen. Treat it as a mild skin lightener, not a sunscreen product. You need to use a seperate, broad spectrum sunscreen during the day that has a decent PPD rating (UVA protection).

Surely White Body Lightening Lotion


I have personally tried the Reversa Anti-Spot Night Care, and found that it gave some decent results. I only used it for a short amount of time, but I think if implemented into a skin regimen that also has skin lightening ingredients that stop melanin transfer (bearberry extract for example) I think it could work fabulously. Not even at the same time, as long as there is one ingredient suppressing tyrosinase and another ingredient (somewhere in your regimen) that inhibits melanin transfer.

I now have a pretty balanced skin lightening regimen, but if I introduced rumex extract into my routine now, I think I would get some impressive results since I use Skinceuticals Phyto +. But alas, I don't have anywhere to put the Reversa since I mix my Phyto+ with Retin-A and use Vichy Bi White Whitening Essence in the daytime. Too many products already, LOL!

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