<；P>；PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new skin keratinization-promoting agent useful for improvement of barrier functions of the skin and prevention of skin ageing. <；P>；SOLUTION: The skin keratinization-promoting agent comprises mineral components derived from a pearl layer. The mineral components derived from a pearl layer is obtained by calcining a pearl layer, obtained by denucleation of a pearl, or a pearl layer of a shell, then dissolving the mineral components in an acid or purified water followed by filtration and neutralization. The mineral components derived from the pearl layer contain calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, zinc and a trace amount of other minerals. The compositional ratio of the main mineral components based on the dried matter is 50-99 mass%, preferably 70-95 mass%, of calcium, 0-40 mass%, preferably 1-15 mass%, of sodium, 0-5 mass%, preferably 0.01-1 mass%, of magnesium, 0-10 mass%, preferably 0.5-5 mass%, of iron and 0-5 mass%, preferably 0.01-1 mass%, of zinc. <；P>；COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT
