A composition for external application to skin, containing a compound represented by formula (I) or a salt thereof, and/or a quaternary ammonium salt represented by formula (II): wherein R 1 is a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched chain alkyl group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms X is -CO-NH-, -O-CO-O-, -NH-CO-, - CO-O-, -O-CO- or -O- Y is a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms R 2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms R 3 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms R 2 and R 3 are the same as or different from each other R 4 , R 5 and R 6 , which may the same as or different from each other, each are an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A - is a counter ion.
