PURPOSE: To obtain a skin external agent highly improved in the safety of the α-tocopheryl retinoate therein and capable of adequately presenting its effect, formulated with an α-tocopheryl retinoate and at least one kind of neutral amino acid.

CONSTITUTION: This skin external agent contains pref. ≥0.001wt.% (esp. 0.01-2.0wt.%) of an α-tocopheryl retinoate and pref. 0.001-10wt.% of at least one kind of neutral amino acid (glycine, alanine, serine, leucine, phenylalanine, proline, and/or hydroxyproline). The α-tocopheryl retinoate is effective for preventing or treating keratosis etc., and preventing or remedying skin aging.