Provided is a water-in-oil emulsion cosmetic having an excellent resilient and supple feeling and also an excellent moisturizing effect and the feeling in use. The water-in-oil emulsion cosmetic of the present invention is characterized by comprising the following (A) to (D) and the percentage of component (b1) with respect to component (A) and component (B) being 40 to 85 mass%. (A) 0.5 to 10 mass% of a sterol derivative, (B) an oil containing (b1) (b1) a volatile oil having low compatibility with (A), (C) an emulsifying agent, and (D) 60 to 90 mass% of an aqueous component.