Skin dullness suppressing agent, and skin barrier function maintaining or improving agent

A method of maintaining or improving a skin barrier function in a subject in need thereof comprising orally administering to the subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a hexane extract from red paprika, wherein the hexane extract is not obtained by using acetone or methanol as an extraction solvent, wherein the hexane extract contains a hexane-soluble component selected from the group consisting of a xanthophyll and p-carotene, wherein the xanthophyll is selected from the group consisting of capsanthin, cucurbitaxanthin A, zeaxanthin, capsanthin 3, 6-epoxide, capsorubin, cryptocapsin and a derivative thereof, wherein the derivative is a fatty acid ester of a saturated fatty acid having 12 to 22 carbon atoms.