An object of the present invention is to provide an antimicrobial composition that exhibits significantly high antimicrobial activity while having a high level of safety for the human body. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides an antimicrobial composition containing: a component (A) that is at least one selected from the group consisting of 1,2-alkanediols having an alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbons and monoalkyl glyceryl ethers having an alkyl group having 6 to 8 carbons； and a component (B) that is at least one selected from the group consisting of tripropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol. The present invention also provides a cosmetic containing the antimicrobial composition.
