Top 8 Safe Skin Lightening Ingredients 0. Kojic Acid. Usually made as a by-product of malted rice – that's used to make sake/rice wine, Kojic acid is an all-natural lightening and brightening skincare active. ... 1. Vitamin C. ... 2. Alpha-arbutin. ... 3. Niacinamide. ... 4. Glutathione. ... 5. Azelaic acid. ... 6. Glycolic acid. ... 7. Linoleic acid.