Disclosed is a water-based cosmetic containing (A) ceramide-containing particles dispersed in an aqueous phase as an oil phase, (B) a fatty acid component of at least one fatty acid and/or a fatty acid salt, and (C) a polyalcohol component containing a first polyalcohol with IOB greater than or equal to 2.2 and making up 3-20 mass% of the total content of the composition, inclusively, and a second polyalcohol with IOB less than or equal to 2.0, and making up 0 or 3 mass% or less of the total content of the composition, wherein the total mass of a surfactant in the composition is 0 or 1% or less, and the total mass of the aforementioned ceramide in the composition is at least three times the total mass of the aforementioned fatty acid component.