Abstract: Vitellaria paradoxa is indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. As a medicinal and edible plant, Vitellaria paradoxa has been used in the treatment of inflammation, rashes, sunburn and dysentery. Vitellaria paradoxa contains many kinds of constituents, such as terpenoids, phenols and volatile oils. Pharmacological studies have shown that extracts from different parts of Vitellaria paradoxa such as roots, stem barks, leaves and fruits have diverse pharmacological activities, including inhibition of melanogenesis, inhibition of Epstein Barr virus-early antigen (EBVEA) activation, anti-inflammation, anthelmintic activity, antimicrobial activity, anti-oxidation and cytotoxicity. This review summarized research progress in the chemical constituents of Vitellaria paradoxa and their pharmacological actions and discussed their application prospects in the research direction of skin whitening in cosmeceutical field, so as to provide reference for further exploitation and utilization of this plant resource.