PURPOSE: To prepare a bleaching cosmetic completely nonirritant to the skin and having bleaching and sun-screening effects, by using a specific amount of flavonol compound other than quercetin.

CONSTITUTION: A bleaching cosmetic containing 0.001W0.01wt% of a flavonol compound of formula (R1, R2 and R4 are H, OH or OCH3; R3, R5 and R6 are H or OH) other than quercetin, e.g. myricetin, as an active component. The flavonol compound may be a single compound or mixture, and can be prepared, e.g. by reacting the corresponding flavanone compound with amyl nitrite and hydrochloric acid, and hydrolyzing the resulted isonitroso derivative with an acid.