To obtain a tyrosinase production inhibitor.

Ursolic acid, its salt or its analog is found to be an extremely excellent tyrosinase production inhibitor. The pigmentation such as stains, freckles, etc., on the skin is the result of increase of excessive production of melanin caused by an ultraviolet light and other irritation and is a problem in terms of beauty. Melamine is considered to be formed by enzymatic oxidation of tyrosine as an essential amino acid by a tyrosinase in melanocyte, followed by several stages of reactions. Consequently, addition of a tyrosinase production inhibitor to a skin care preparation prevents and ameliorates pigmentation after sunburn, stains, freckles, liver spots, etc.

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