In the present study, we evaluated the free radical scavenging and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities exhibited by extracts obtained from the dried stems (and leaves) of Lespedeza bicolor We also assessed its potential irritation activities with regard to cosmetic use. When the DPPH radical scavenging activities of L. bicolor were assessed at six different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 250, 500 and 1000 ${mu}g/ml$), the concentration of L. bicolor required to inhibit DPPH radical formation by $50\%$ was found to be $164.90{mu}g/ml$. The effects of L. bicolor on the inhibition of xanthine oxidase were determined at seven different concentrations. The $50\%$ effective concentration was found to be $282.75{mu}g/ml$. In the skin irritation test, all animals survived for the duration of the study, and all exhibited normal gains in body weight. The control sites exhibited no response to the control procedures. No edema, erythema, or eschar formation was observed in any of the tested rabbits. In the ocular irritation study, all of the rabbit eyes remained normal. In summary, L. bicolor extracts were considered to be non-irritating to the skin and eye.