Disclosed is a composition for external application, which can be applied ona part of the skin to more effectively elicit the useful activity of an adeninecompound such as adenine, adenosine and a phosphate ester of adenosine, and whichhas an excellent long-acting property and an enhanced skin-moisturizing effect.A gel-like composition for external application which contains an adenine compoundsuch as adenine, adenosine and a phosphate ester of adenosine is prepared by usingagar as a gelling agent. The gel-like composition for external applicationis further prepared into the form of a sheet-like adhesive skin patch. The gel-likecomposition for external application, which is in the form of a sheet-like adhesiveskin patch, is kept in the state immersed in an aqueous solution containing theadenine compound.
