The purpose of the present invention is to provide skin care focusing on the sense of touch. It was found that sandalore and an analog thereof have an action of activating Merkel cells. Provided is A Merkel cell activating agent containing sandalore and an analog thereof. It was also found that an activated Merkel cell contains a large number of synaptic vesicles. Provided is a synaptic vesicle enhancing agent containing sandalore and an analog thereof. It was also found that the neurotransmitter release activity of Merkel cells can be assessed by measuring, under a fluorescence microscope, changes in fluorescent luminance value before and after depolarization stimulation to Merkel cells that have taken in a fluorescent tracer. Provided is a method for screening for a neurotransmitter release accelerating agent for Merkel cells.