Disclosed is an emulsion preparation for external application to skin, which contains a branched acylcarnitine and has excellent emulsion stability. Also disclosed is a cosmetic preparation. Specifically disclosed is an emulsion preparation for external application to skin, which is characterized by containing 0.01-10% by mass of a carnitine derivative represented by Formula (1) and/or a carnitine derivative salt represented by Formula (2) and 0.01-20% by mass of a nonionic surfactant. In Formula (1), R1 and R2 independently represent an optionally branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1-18 carbon atoms. In Formula (2), R1 and R2 are as defined in Formula (1); X- represents a specific anion; and Y+ represents a specific cation.