PURPOSE: The titled highly safe composition, containing an aqueous solution of zinc oxide solubilized with an amino acid, hydrochloride, alkali salt thereof, etc., and useful as an antiseptic and antifungal agent for cosmetics, etc.

CONSTITUTION: An antimicrobial composition containing an aqueous solution of zinc oxide solubilized with one or two or more amino acids, e.g. glycine or serine, hydrochloride and alkali salt thereof. The zinc oxide is a white fine nontoxic powder widely used in medicines and cosmetics, has a little antiseptic and mild antifungal action but is nontoxic to organisms, and the suspension thereof is solubilized by the mixing of the amino acid useful for the skin to enhance the inhibition of microbial growth. The solubilization proceeds at room temperature but rapidly proceeds with stirring under heating. The amount of the amino acid to be added is not limited, and the amount of the zinc oxide to be solubilized is increased in proportion to the amount of any one of the amino acids to be added.