<;P>;PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composition (skin whitening preparation) and preventing and/or treating pigmentation that has excellent effect on pigmentation such as blotches, freckles, suntan, dark skin and melanosis caused by a medicine such as steroid. <;P>;SOLUTION: The composition comprises (1) one or more kinds selected from (i) cetraxate or its salt and (ii) L-cysteine, its derivative or their salt and ascorbic acid, its derivative or their salt. <;P>;COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT