[Object] A layered double hydroxide which has selective adsorbability to unsaturated fatty acids and can have a neutral pH value (i.e., a weakly acidic to weakly alkaline pH value) upon being dispersed in water and a cosmetic produced using the layered double hydroxide have been demanded. [Solution] The layered double hydroxide according to the present invention is characterized by comprising base layers each comprising a metal double hydroxide represented by the formula: M(II)1-XM(III)X(OH)2 (wherein M(II) represents one or two bivalent metal atoms M(III) represents a trivalent metal atom and x represents 0.2 to 0.33), and an intermediate layer and interlayer water each intercalated between the base layers, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a compound represented by the formula: R1-COOH or R2-SO3H (wherein R1 and R2 independently represent at least one substituent selected from an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon group, a heterocyclic group and a substituted heterocyclic group).
