Tincture of Benzoin was reputed to be a skin lightening ingredient from the 18th century on through the early 20th century. I have tested this myself and can say it does add a slight whitish cast over the skin similar to a translucent powder, but which goes away soon as the benzoin wears or washes off. The mixture Lait Virginal was a diluted version of the same.
The following excerpt is taken from the book "Personal Beauty" printed in 1870:
"Gum Benzoin is a fragrant resin which comes to us from the sunny meadows of Sumatra, and is redolent with odors of the Spice Islands, and the mysterious virtues of tropical balms. Its qualities are strange. Mix a little of it with fat, and the latter will not become rancid. Some of the tincture, combined with glycerine, is simply the best application in the world for chapped hands, and for those cracked nipples which afflict some women during nursing. But this apart. We speak of it now as a cosmetic. Two ounces of it to a pint of pure alcohol (free from acrid fusel oils and the like) make as fine an application as those can ask who wish a white spotless tint, and fragrant arome. Some of it may be used once or twice a day in the manner already mentioned.About a tablespoonful should be poured into a small tumbler of water. It changes the water to a whitish fluid, which is known in France as lait virginal, virgin's milk, and is highly and justly esteemed. None of the cosmetic washed is more agreeable. Some glycerine can be added to the water if desired."
An older recipe comes from the Toilette of Rank and Fashion, in 1837:
"Virgin's Milk is compounded with tincture of Benzoin and Rose-water; it is prepared by simply adding a few drops of the former to an ounce or two of the latter, which produces a milky mixture. If the face be washed with this, it will give it a beautiful ivory color. Let it remain on the skin without wiping."
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