Arbutin-containing compositions are useful for topical application to provide enhanced luminosity, brightening or lightening to the skin of a user and are at least 85% as efficacious (with regard to skin lightening, when used alone or in a system as measured by Chromameter® b* parameter values) as substantially corresponding compositions containing hydroquinone in an mount from about the same molar amount to about 1.5 times the molar amount of arbutin.