Abstract: Disclosed is a skin lightening composition comprising a) a safe and effective amount of at least one water soluble reducing agent selected from the group consisting of sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, sodium hydrogen sulfite, potassium, hydrogen sulfite, sodium, metasulfite, potassium metasulfite, ammonium sulfite, ammonium hydrogen sulfite, formic acid, oxalic acid and mixtures thereof and b) cosmetically acceptable carrier for the water soluble reducing agent wherein the composition is substantially free of hydroquinone or its derivatives. Also disclosed is a method for skin lightening in mammals comprising topically applying to the skin the above composition.