An external skin treatment composition containing (I) vitamin A (retinol) and (II) as a stabilizer, an oil, polyethylene (propylene) glycol, a hydroxy carboxylate, a neutral amino acid salt, an oil-soluble antioxidant/EDTA/a benzophenone compound, an oil-soluble antioxidant/an acid/a benzophenone compound, an inclusion compound of cyclodextrin including an antioxidant and/or an ultraviolet absorber, butanediol and/or an oil-soluble antioxidant, a water-soluble benzophenone compound, a basic amino acid and the salt thereof, an acidic amino acid and the salt thereof, a polar oil, a water-swellable clay mineral.