The present invention relates to the use of silymarin, or of the main constituents thereof alone or as a mixture, chosen from silybin (or 2,3-dihydro-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-(3,5,7-trihydroxy-4-oxobenzopyran-2-yl)benzodioxine), isosilybin, silydianin, silychristin, silandrin, silymonin and taxifolin, isolated enantiomers thereof and also salts thereof, for the manufacture of compositions for inducing, restoring or stimulating pigmentation of the skin, body hair or head hair. The invention also relates to the use of these agents for the manufacture of compositions for preserving the integrity of the hair, for limiting its loss and for stimulating hair regrowth. Silymarin or the constituents thereof alone or as a mixture are obtained by extraction of a plant of the genus Silybum.