Abstract: The present invention relates to a personal care composition for topical application comprising selective fractions of natural materials having photoprotective and skin lightening applications. The inventors found that certain fractions of natural materials which are rich in anthroquinones or naphthaquinones e.g. those from the Rubiaceae family provide for enhanced broad spectrum photoprotection especially in the visible range while also exhibiting enhanced activity in a biochemical pathway viz. ty-rosinase inhibition which is indicative of improved skin lightening.