There have been various animal models of skin inflammation. These models have been used for establishing anti-inflammatory activity of the topical agents including cosmetics. Here, the molecular mechanisms of most widely-used animal models of skin inflammation including contact irritation, acute and chronic inflammation, and delayed-type hypersensitivity are summarized. Against these animal models, varieties of plant flavonoids showed anti-inflammatory activity. The action mechanisms of anti-inflammation by topical flavonoids are presented. A therapeutic potential of flavonoids is discussed.