An agent for skin external use of the invention contains a salt of higher fatty acid ester of ascorbic acid-2-phosphoric acid ester and a polyhydric alcohol. According to the present invention, occurrence of turbidity or precipitation with time can be prevented to enhance stability even when the agent for skin external use is prepared using a specific salt of higher fatty acid ester of ascorbic acid-2-phosphoric acid ester. Therefore, the present invention is useful for all agents for skin external use, particularly cosmetics.
