The purpose of the present invention is to provide a water-in-oil type emulsion cosmetic, said water-in-oil type emulsion cosmetic ensuring a high emulsion stability, giving an excellent oil-free feel in use and being highly compatible with the skin even in the case of adding a volatile hydrocarbon oil component thereto. Provided is a water-in-oil type emulsion cosmetic, comprising: 20-30 mass% of oily components (A); a fatty acid ester (B) having an HLB of 5-10; a nonionic surfactant (C) having an HLB of 1-4; an organic denatured clay mineral (D); and water (E). The water-in-oil type emulsion cosmetic is characterized in that a volatile hydrocarbon oil amounts to at least 10 mass% of the oily components (A) and no silicone oil is contained therein.