To obtain a new preparation for external use for the skin excellent in skin protection and moisturizing effect, containing a combination of a specific compound derived from escin in the extract of the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum with at least one kind selected from saccharides and amino acids.

This preparation for external use for the skin contains a combination of an escinol (salt) of the formula (R1 is H; R2 is a pyranose residue) with at least one kind selected from the group consisting of saccharides and amino acids. The content of the escinol (salt) in the preparation is pref. 0.001-20 (esp. 0.1-7)wt.%. The saccharide is e.g. xylitol, lactose, chondroitin sulfate; while the amino acid is e.g. arginine, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid. The content of the saccharide(s) and/or amino acid(s) in the preparation is pref. 0.01-20 (esp. 0.01-10)wt.%. Besides, for this preparation, the weight ratio of the escinol (salt) to the saccharide(s) and/or amino acid(s) is pref. 0.1-60.