The present invention provides an external preparation for skin which contains 5-aminolevulinic acids as active components and which is excellent in skin-beautifying effects such as prevention/amelioration of skin roughness, dry skin, wrinkles, sagging and flecks of skin, and improvement of turnover of corneum; and in an ameliorating effect on skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. An external preparation for skin which contains one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of 5-aminolevulinic acid, its salt and a derivative of them; and an iron compound; as active components, is used.