For Asian women, white skin is preferable. During the last decade, skin whitening products appear to be the largest and continually growing segment in skin-care market in Asia and have an impaction of economic worth. Skin whitening or lightening agents are as cosmetics which act as a drug-like benefit since melanin producing process of the skin is disturbed and can be classified as cosmeceuticals. To increase efficiency, novel vehicles are necessary for skin penetration enhancement of these agents. Microemulsions and nanoemulsions are one of useful nanocarriers for skin application in view of achieving efficiency of the active substances. Moreover, they can be formulated with ease for active ingredient incorporation, high stability and good appearance. In this review article, applications of well-known whitening or lightening agents were summarized. In addition, the use of microemulsions and nanoemulsions as novel vehicles for whitening products were discussed.