To obtain a preparation for external use for skin good in usability and stability, and excellent in moisturizing effect, containing a water-soluble polymer and a specific compound derived from escin, an extract of the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum.

This preparation for external use for skin contains a water-soluble polymer and an escinol (salt) of the formula (R1 is H or OH; R2 is a pyranose residue). The escinol is obtained by alkalinolysis of escin in the extract of the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum to effect elimination of the acyl group. The content of the escinol (salt) in the whole amount of the preparation is pref. 0.001-20 (esp. 0.1-7)wt.%. The water-soluble polymer is e.g. gum arabic, xanthan gum, collagen, carbomethyl starch, methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, its content in the whole amount of the preparation being pref. 0.01-5 (esp. 0.1-1)wt.%.