Abstract: An electrophotographic photoconductor comprises an electroconductive substrate, an organic photoconductive layer formed on the electroconductive substrate, and a protective layer formed on the organic photoconductive layer, comprising carbon or a carbon-based material as its main component, in which the difference in the Vickers hardness between the organic photoconductive layer and the protective layer is 2500 Kg/mm.sup.2 or less, and the oxygen concentration at the interface or in the vicinity of the interface between the organic photoconductive layer and the protective layer is 1 atom % or less.