A method for adjusting calcium ion in epidermis is described. The method involves applying a material for enhancing skin barrier function to the skin of a subject. Appropriate materials include Pimpinella extract, Asteroidea extract, L-Carnitine, Royal jelly hydrolysate, Pellicer, Palmaria extract, ε, γ-Glutamyl lysine, Coptis japonica extract and citrus aurantium peel extract