Provided is a melanin formation inhibitor which has a superior effect compared with those of existing skin whitening agents and is highly safe. A melanin formation inhibitor comprising a compound represented by general formula (1) as an active ingredient. (In the formula, R represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms.)本發明提供一種與既存之美白劑相比具有優異之效果且安全性亦優異之黑色素生成抑制劑。該黑色素生成抑制劑係將下述通式(1)所表示之化合物作為有效成分。(式中,R表示碳數1~8之直鏈或支鏈之烴基)
