PURPOSE: To obtain a skin preparation for external use, containing an eleutherin derivative, exhibiting melanogenesis suppressing action and tyrosinase inhibiting action and having excellent skin-beautifying effect and safety.
CONSTITUTION: This skin preparation contains a compound of formula (R1 and R2 are each H or methyl; R3 is H or OH), especially eleutherin, isoeleutherin or 4-β-hydroxyisoeleutherin as an active component in an amount of 0.005-20wt.%, preferably 0.01-10wt.% based on the total skin preparation. The agent exhibits excellent effect for the fading of pigmentation caused by sunburn, spots, freckles, chloasma, etc., and skin-beautifying effect. The compound of formula is compounded with proper amounts of conventional skin preparation components and prepared in the form of ointment, cream, milky lotion, lotion, pack, bathing agent, etc. The compound of formula can be produced by extracting a plant of the family Iridaceae, especially a plant of the genus Eleutherin with an organic solvent or by synthesizing from naphthoquinone.
YAGI EIICHIRO
SHIBATA YUKI
