PURPOSE: A whitening composition using gardenia fructus is provided to achieve an improved inhibitory action against melanin formation in a stable and economic manner. CONSTITUTION: A whitening composition contains an extract obtained by heating gardenia fructus in an extractor equipped with a cooling condenser, at a temperature of 70 to 80 Deg.C for 24 hours, or to reach a temperature of 100 to 121 Deg.C, by using a high quality alcohol of 70 to 99 percent. Thus-obtained extract of gardenia fructus strongly inhibits activation of tyrosinase enzyme for melanin formation.
