PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a skin-whitening agent more effective than the conventional skin-whitening agent.SOLUTION: A melanin formation inhibitor contains a Soboku extract or a processed material thereof. The skin-whitening agent contains the melanin formation inhibitor. Skin-whitening cosmetics contain those agents, and a compound represented by formula is claimed.COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT【課題】現行の美白剤よりも効果的な美白剤を提供する。【解決手段】ソボク抽出物又はその処理物を含有するメラニン生成抑制剤、当該メラニン生成抑制剤を含有する美白剤、及びこれらの剤を含有する美白化粧料、並びに次式:【化1】で示される化合物。【選択図】図1