Topical skin care formulations comprising plant extracts

1. A method for treating skin of a person in need thereof, the method comprising topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Bougainvillea glabra , wherein the composition reduces tyrosinase activity or melanin production in the skin.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to hyperpigmented skin.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the hyperpigmented skin is melasmic skin.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the hyperpigmented skin is a sunspot, age spot, or freckle.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the composition lightens skin.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to unevenly colored skin.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the unevenly colored skin is melasmic skin.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the unevenly colored skin is a sunspot, age spot, or freckle.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the composition evens skin tone.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is an emulsion.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the composition is an oil-in-water emulsion.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is a cream or a lotion.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is a solution.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises 0.001% to 5%, by weight, of the extract.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises:

(a) glycerin;

(b) tocopherol;

(c) phenoxyethanol;

(d) sodium hydroxide; and

(e) ethylhexylglycerin.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the composition further comprises:

(a) sweet almond oil;

(b) caprylic/capric triglyceride;

(c) urea;

(d) acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer;

(e) xanthan gum;

(f) butylene glycol;

(g) hyaluronic acid;

(h) ascorbic acid; and

(i) benzyl salicylate.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the composition further comprises:

(a) glyceryl stearate;

(b) urea;

(c) dimethicone;

(d) lecithin;

(e) citric acid;

(f) butylene glycol;

(g) ascorbic acid;

(h) sunflower seed oil; and

(i) benzyl salicylate.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the composition further comprises:

(a) coco-caprylate/caprate;

(b) sunflower seed oil;

(c) urea;

(d) behenyl alcohol;

(e) butylene glycol;

(f) polysorbate 60;

(g) sorbitan isostearate; and

(h) hyaluronic acid.

19. The method of claim 1 , where the composition further comprises:

(a) water;

(b) a chelating agent;

(c) a moisturizing agent;

(d) a preservative; and

(e) a thickening agent.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract is in liquid form and comprises the extracting solvent.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract is a lyophilized extract in powdered form.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract is from the whole plant of Bougainvillea glabra.

23. The method of claim 1 , wherein the extract is an alcoholic extract.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the alcoholic extract is an ethanolic extract.