PURPOSE: To obtain the subject new derivative which is a specific glucohydantoin derivative, water-soluble and has properties absorbing ultraviolet rays in VV-A region and useful for cosmetics, quasi-drugs, etc., as an ultraviolet absorbent, a skin preparation for external use obtained by blending the absorbent.

CONSTITUTION: This hydantoin derivative is expressed by formula I [A is a residue after removal of one hydroxyl group from a sugar; R is a 1-20C alkyl; X is a 1-8C alkyl or a 1-8C alkoxy; (a) is an integer of 0-4) and is excellent in solubility to water and has properties absorbing ultraviolet rays in VV-A region and is useful for preparations for external use such as cosmetics or quasi-drugs, etc., as an ultraviolet absorbing agent and a skin preparation for external use by blending the agent. The hydantoin derivative is obtained by reacting a hydroxybenzaldehyde derivative of formula II with a hydantoin of formula III in the presence of an amino acid, reacting the reactional product with an acrylic acid ester in the presence of a base in a solvent to afford a compound of formula IV and then reacting the compound of formula IV with a halogenated sugar.