A method is described for processing a silver halide color photographic material after imagewise exposure, comprising color developing, desilvering, and at least one of washing and stabilizing a silver halide color photographic material, wherein a color developer which does not substantially contain benzyl alcohol but comprises at least one compound represented by formula (I) ##STR1## wherein M.sup.1, M.sup.2, M.sup.3 and M.sup.4 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal ion, an ammonium ion, or 1/n of an n-valent cation is used for the color development.