[PROBLEMS] To provide an agent for oral administration or external application which uses a conventional commercially available product to produce a skin whitening effect or melanin formation-inhibitory effect readily and which does not need any specialized extraction process or the like and to provide a pharmaceutical or beverage composition comprising the agent. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A skin whitening agent or melanin formation inhibitor for oral administration comprising one or more components selected from grape vinegar, black vinegar, Moromi vinegar and extracts thereof； a pharmaceutical or beverage composition comprising the skin whitening agent or melanin formation inhibitor； a skin whitening agent or melanin formation inhibitor for external application comprising one or more components selected from grape vinegar, black vinegar, Moromi vinegar and extracts thereof； and a cosmetic or pharmaceutical comprising the skin whitening agent or melanin formation inhibitor.
