Provided is a very stable topical composition. A topical composition is prepared that contains (A) from 1 to 40% by mass of at least one type selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid and salts of ascorbic acid; (B) at least 20% by mass of a diol having three carbon atoms; (C) at least one type selected from the group consisting of tocopherol, salts of tocopherol, and derivatives of tocopherol; and (D) water, wherein the mass ratio of component (D) to component (A) is from 0.5 to 5.0 and the topical composition includes less than 20% by mass of glycol ether.