Abstract: Methods of preparing an extract of Prickly-ash peel, including pulverizing the peels of Chinese Prickly-ash berries to produce powdered Prickly-ash peel; extracting the powdered Prickly-ash peel using an organic solvent to yield an organic extract solution; and removing the organic solvent under reduced pressure to yield a residue that is an extract of Prickly-ash peel. The resulting Prickly-ash peel extracts include the active anti-aging ingredient gx-50, having the formula which may be dispersed in a liquid or semi-solid physiologically and cosmetically acceptable vehicles or carriers to form topical anti-aging cosmetics.