Skin pigmentation is a prevalent dermatological condition, the underlying mechanism of which is the aberrant activation of melanin synthesis and signalling pathways. The most effective strategies for intervening in abnormal pigment deposition involve targeted inhibition of the catalytic activity of key rate-limiting enzymes, such as tyrosinase, and effective blockade of the transduction of pro-melanotic signalling pathways, such as α-MSH-MC1R and SCF-c-Kit. Research has indicated that Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) are abundant in bioactive substances and possess considerable potential in modulating pigmentation. Representative extracts, including paeoniflorin in Paeonia lactiflora and glycyrrhizin in Glycyrrhiza and ferulic acid in Angelica sinensis, have been shown to play important roles in inhibiting tyrosinase activity and regulating melanocyte metabolism.This paper systematically summarises the mechanism of action of pigmentation, as well as the progress of research on the active constituents of traditional Chinese medicine extracts, thereby providing a theoretical foundation and potential avenues for future research and application in the field of TCM whitening cosmetic raw materials.