PURPOSE: To provide an agent for promoting the cornification of cuticle and expected to have age-prevention effect and treating effect on skin diseases such as psoriasis in addition to chapped skin improving action.

CONSTITUTION: The cuticle-cornification promoting agent contains, based on the total amount of the applied composition, 0.001-3.0wt.% (preferably 0.01-1.0wt.%) of diisopropylamine dichloroacetate and 0.01-0.5wt.% (preferably 0.02-0.10wt.%) of calcium (used in the form of calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, etc.). The cuticle-cornification promoting agent can be used for the prevention and treatment of chapped skin, aged skin or skin diseases such as psoriasis by applying to the diseased skin in the form of an external skin agent such as ointment or powder.