PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an external preparation for skin which increases an enzyme activity associated with the skin condition, and improves the skin condition.SOLUTION: The invention provides an external preparation for skin containing a heat shock proteins and polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of 2000-5000. The external preparation for skin of the invention can increase the enzyme activity in a horny layer, and can improve the skin condition. The external preparation for skin of the invention is preferred not to contain an oil solution substantially, and can be used as cosmetics. As a heat shock protein, extract obtained by treating cultured lactic acid bacteria for 10 to 40 minutes at 42-44°C to increase the heat shock protein, subsequently centrifuging and pulverizing the culture medium, and then extracting with the polar solvent, or extract obtained by integrating heat shock protein genes into Escherichia coli, culturing by the usual method, and treating the culture medium in the same manner can be used as a heat shock protein. The external preparation for skin of the invention can be used without containing an oil solution substantially.
