The purpose of the present invention is to provide a water-in-oil type emulsion cosmetic that has a replenishing and smooth feel-of-use, that, once applied, forms a uniform coating, and that can minimize the appearance of skin roughness such as pores while covering discoloration such as spots and freckles, but that does not give an impression of a thick coating. The present invention provides a water-in-oil type emulsion cosmetic characterized by containing (A) 0.1-20 mass % of metallic soap-treated powder, and (B) a water-absorptive polymer having 0.01-2 mass % of a carboxyl group. The (B) water-absorptive polymer having a carboxyl group of this cosmetic preferably can absorb 10-1,000 times its own weight.