A series of novel ascorbic acid derivatives, polyethoxylated ascorbic acid (PEAA) were synthesized by coupling ascorbic acid with polyethylene glycol (PEG) of two molecular weights (MW: 350 and 550) at the C-2 or C-3 hydroxyl group (2PEAA350, 3PEAA350, 2PEAA550, 3PEAA550) to increase the stability and retain the activity, as a skin whitening agent. Their stability, scavenging activity against free radical, inhibitory activity against tyroxinase and inhibitory activity of melanin synthesis in Bl6 melanoma cell of PEAAs were evaluated in viかo and compared with those of ascorbic acid and 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (3OEAA), a Con stable vitamin C derivative. Among PEAAs, 2PEAA350 and 2PEAA550 tad high scaveniging activity against See radical, inhibitory activity against tyrosinase and inhibitory activity if melanogenesis but low stability, 3PEAA350 had high stability and moderate scavenging activity against free radical, infibitory activity against tyrosinase and inhibitory activity of melanogenesis. The stability, scavenging activity against free radical and inhibitory activity of melanogenesis of 3PEAA350 were higher than those of 30EAA. The most stable 3PEAA350 among PEAAs was nontoxic in various toxicological tests. These results suggest that PEAA would be a good whitening agent far enhancing stability and bioavailability.