1. Composition for external use on the skin, containing a compound represented by the following formula (1): where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. A composition for external use on skin according to claim 1, wherein R in the formula (1) is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. An external composition for skin application according to claim 1, wherein R in the formula (1) is a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group or an isopropyl group. A composition for external use on skin according to claim 1, wherein R in the formula (1) is an ethyl group. A whitening cosmetic product containing a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. 6. A bleaching cosmetic according to claim 5, wherein R in the formula (1) is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. A bleaching cosmetic according to claim 5, wherein R in the formula (1) is a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group or an isopropyl group. A bleaching cosmetic according to claim 5, wherein R in the formula (1) is an ethyl group. A composition comprising an inhibitor of melanin production containing a compound represented by the following formula (1) as an active ingredient: where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. 10. The composition according to claim 9, where R in the formula (1) is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The composition of claim 9, wherein R in the formula (1) is a methyl group, an ethyl group, an n-propyl group or isopr1. Композиция для наружного применения на коже, содержащая соединение, представленное следующей формулой (1):где R представляет собой алкильную группу, содержащую от 1 до 8 атомов углерода.2. Композиция для наружного применения на коже по п.1, где R в формуле (1) представляет собой алкильную группу, содержащую от 1 до 4 атомов углерода.3. Композиция для наружного применения на коже по п.1, где R в формуле (1) представл
