OBJECTIVES: Currently, there is no study reporting synergistic skin whitening potential of green tea and lotus in healthy humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro anti-tyrosinase activity of green tea and lotus extracts and, consequently, to determine the actual potential efficacy of topical formulations in healthy humans in a 60 days treatment course. METHODS: Thirty three healthy human subjects were enrolled in an approved single-blind, placebo-controlled, split-face trial. Each group with eleven subjects applied green tea (GT), lotus (L) or green tea plus lotus (GT-L) multiple emulsions over 60 days treatment period. The subjects applied placebo treatment on one side of the face, while active treatment was applied on other half of the face. In addition, they were educated to apply the formulations once daily at bedtime. Clinical objective evaluations were performed with a non-invasive biometrology probe at baseline, day 15, 30, 45 and day 60. RESULTS: Melanin index (MI) was measured for each treatment on different time intervals and it was statistically evident that combined treatment of green tea and lotus offered more benefit than single treatments (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that green tea plus lotus could be explored further for the treatment of pigmentation disorders.