| abstract |
A novel melanin inhibitor comprising as an active component a p-hydroxycinnamamide derivative of the following general formula (I) ##STR1## in which R 1 represents a hydrogen atom or a 2-hydroxyethyl group, and R 2 represents a hydroxymethyl group or a carboxyl group. n The melanin inhibitor may take various forms such as a lotion, an emulsion, a cream, an ointment, a gel and the like, and it is locally applied onto affected parts such as spots and freckles on the skin, and a pigmental deposition after sunburn. |