The present invention provides an antioxidant and a whitening agent having high safety, and a external preparation for skin using the same. The antioxidant and whitening agent comprise, as an effective component, one or more extracts from Basidiomycetes selected from the group consisting of Pleurotus abalonus, Pholiota squarrosa, Onnia orientalis, Astraeus hygrometricus and Pleurotus nebrodensis. These extracts have a free radical capturing ability and are useful for suppressing skin oxidation and for preventing and improving skin aging. In addition, the extracts have a tyrosinase activity inhibiting action and can suppress the melanin generation. Since the fruit bodies of these Basidiomycetes have been used for edible purpose and have high safety, they can be used preferably for an external preparation for skin.
