A whitening agent containing a solvent extract of a plant Elephantopus mollis H. B. & K. belonging to Compositae having a superior whitening action and having a superior effect in lightening and whitening pigmentation after suntans, senile lentigo, freckles, melasma, is provided.本發明係提供一種含有為菊科(Compositae)植物之地膽草(Elephantopus mollis H.B.&k)萃取物之美白劑,其具有優良的美白作用,對日曬後的色素沉著、斑點、雀斑、肝斑等的淡色化、美白有優良的效果。