An oil-in-water emulsion cosmetic using an ultramicroemulsion that is excellent in transparency and high in viscosity is provided. The oil-in-water emulsion cosmetic includes: (A) 10 to 50% by mass of an ultramicroemulsion including the following (a1) and (a2): (a1) is an anionic surfactant, and (a2) is a linear higher alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms that can form an α-gel in water in combination with (a1); (B) 0.2 to 2% by mass of a stearoxy hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose having the following formula (1); and (C) 0.1 to 1% by mass of a nonionic surfactant.