The present invention relates to a composition for skin whitening containing soyasaponin or a derivative thereof, and more particularly, to a composition which is very safe to the skin with no side effects by using, as an active ingredient, a soyasaponin which can be extracted from a plant, exhibits a significantly excellent whitening effect by inhibiting skin pigmentation by inhibiting melanin production in the skin, reduces pigmentation symptoms such as melasma and freckles or improves skin dullness and enables an even and bright skin tone.
