Health Guide

Tyrosinase

Tyrosinase is a naturally occurring enzyme in your body responsible for producing melanin (pigment). While you don't take Tyrosinase as a supplement, you often look for ingredients that inhibit it to achieve brighter skin and reduce dark spots. Think of it as the 'on switch' for pigment; your goal is to find natural ingredients that act as the 'off switch' to maintain an even skin tone.

Evidence BasedDietary Supplement

VERIFIED SOURCE

Bio-Activity Analysis

Tyrosinase Inhibition Effectiveness

SCIENTIFIC DATA VISUALIZATION

Y-Axis

Inhibition %

Source Type →

Health Benefits & Sources

Why You Need It

Skin Brightening: Inhibiting this enzyme reduces excess pigment production.
Fading Scars: Helps clear up post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) from acne.
Antioxidant Support: Natural sources (like Vitamin C) that block this enzyme also fight free radical damage.

Deep Dive

Your body uses an amino acid called Tyrosine and the enzyme Tyrosinase to create Melanin. When you eat foods high in Vitamin C (like kiwi) or apply ingredients like Alpha Arbutin, you are essentially putting a 'cap' on the Tyrosinase enzyme. This prevents it from turning Tyrosine into dark pigment, allowing your skin to maintain a lighter, more uniform tone.

Natural Food Sources

To inhibit tyrosinase naturally, focus on high-antioxidant foods that interrupt the pigment process:

Food	Amount	Active Compound
Kiwi	1 Fruit	Vitamin C
Green Tea	1 Cup	EGCG
Turmeric	1 Tsp	Curcumin
Grapes	1 Cup	Resveratrol

Supplementation

You typically do not supplement with Tyrosinase. Instead, you supplement with Vitamin C or Glutathione to support the inhibition process. Topical serums are far more effective for pigmentation than oral supplements.

Top Food Sources

Kiwi

100mg+ Vitamin C per serving

Green Tea

Rich in EGCG antioxidants

Turmeric

Contains Curcumin

Red Grapes

Contains Resveratrol

Tomatoes

Contains Lycopene

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyrosinase is an enzyme found in humans, plants, and animals. You generally do not ingest it as a supplement. You eat foods that naturally regulate it.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) is the safest and most researched natural inhibitor. It is found in citrus fruits, kiwi, and green tea.

It causes 'age spots' or sun spots, which are a form of aging. Blocking it helps prevent these visible signs of aging.

Yes, the curcumin in turmeric has been shown to inhibit tyrosinase, making it a great addition to your diet for skin health.

Safety & Side Effects

Tyrosinase is a natural body enzyme and is safe. However, if you are taking strong Tyrosinase inhibitors (prescription or chemical), you must use sunscreen religiously, as your skin's natural defense (melanin) is reduced. Natural food sources have no side effects.

Scientific References

[1]Chang, T. S. (2009). An updated review of tyrosinase inhibitors.
[2]Pan, T. et al. (2008). Review of the relationship between Vitamin C and melanin.
[3]Solano, F. et al. (2006). Kinetic studies on the inhibition of tyrosinase by kojic acid.