PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a whitening agent superior in whitening action, side effect, stability and the like, and an internal or external composition comprising the same and exhibiting whitening action.SOLUTION: This invention relates to a whitening agent which comprises 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol as an active ingredient. This invention also relates to an internal or external composition which comprises the whitening agent and is a pharmaceutical, quasi drug or food and drink, the composition further comprising grain-derived ingredients comprising rice-derived ingredients (pulverized material of the rice, an extract of the rice, a saccharified material of the rice and a fermented material of the rice). The composition comprises grain-derived ingredients in addition to the whitening agent so that whitening synergetic effect can be obtained.
