The invention provides a cosmetic composition containing Chinese herbal compounds which comprise, by weight, 10 to 20 parts of licorice flavonoids and 5 to 15 parts of an extract of Chinese herbal materials. According to the invention, effects of a plurality of Chinese herbal materials are integrated in the cosmetic composition, wherein, licorice flavonoids are used as a main whitening and anti-inflammatory component; combined usage of licorice flavonoids with other herbal materials enables multidirectional comprehensive care and conditioning of inhibiting melanogenesis, retaining moisture, removing acne and the like to be realized, thereby producing synergy effects of whitening, removing spots, retaining moisture, anti-wrinkling, resisting inflammation and removing acne, and eventually achieving the effect of simultaneous treatment of principal and subordinate symptoms. The cosmetic composition provided in the invention has a restoration effect on damaged skin and a good whitening effect on freckles, chloasma, senile plaque and melanin pigmentation caused by increase of age and pockmarks, and is a pure natural product at the same time, without toxicity and irritation.