To evaluate the effect of skin-whitening cosmetics, there is currently available a method to evaluate the
degree of the disappearance of pigmented areas produced by ultraviolet irradiation by applying a sample
to the skin. This method is convenient for evaluating a cosmetic formula. In animal models, this method
shows much less individual differences, and due to the easiness in preparing animals to be tested, it is easier
to obtain the number of experiments necessary for statistical analysis, providing an advantage in making an
objective evaluation. However, fixing a live animal for irradiating with ultraviolet rays etc. may cause pain
to the animal. By adopting an alternative method, we believe that "reduction in pain for testing animals" will
become possible. In evaluating the effectiveness of a skin-whitening cosmetic, we produced a Percutaneous
Absorption Test, in addition to the blackening reduction test in humans. This enabled us to predict the
difference in the skin-whitening effect of a formula more clearly. This case proved the effectiveness of a
formula of a skin-whitening cosmetic without use of a testing animal, and we described the evaluation of the
skin penetration