COSMETIC

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a cosmetic having excellent discoloration stability by adding a lichen extract and a sulfite. SOLUTION: This cosmetic contains (A) a lichen extract preferably in an amount of 0.001-10 wt.%, more preferably 0.01-5 wt.%, (B) a sulfite preferably in amount of 0.001-10 wt.%, more preferably 0.1-5 wt.%, and, if necessary, (C) one or more components generally used for the cosmetics, such as a surfactant, an oily substance and an aqueous substance. The component A is preferably obtained a part or all parts of Usnea barbata, a lichen of high mountain, preferably with a semi-polar solvent (for example, ethanol) and subsequently dissolving the extract with a liquid polyhydric alcohol (for example, 1,3-butylene glycol). The component B is preferably sodium bisulfite, sodium sulfite, etc.