A cosmetic composition comprises:(A) a nonionic amphipathic compound having in the molecule thereof at least one branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 10-36 carbon atoms and at least three hydroxyl groups, and having a lamellar liquid crystal structure itself at 25.degree. C. and at 50.degree. C. or higher; and(B) a compound represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a group ##STR2## R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom, a methyl group or a methoxy group; R.sup.3 is a direct bond or a saturated or unsaturated divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; each Y and each Z are independently hydrogen atoms or hydroxyl groups; and p, q and r are each independently integers of 0 to 5, excepting the case where all of p, q and r are zero and Z is H, and the case where all of p, q and r are zero, R.sup.1 is H and Z is OH.