A skin cosmetic composition comprising the following components (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F): (A) from 0.5 to 6% by mass of a linear saturated fatty acid having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, (B) from 0.01 to 5% by mass of an organic base, (C) from 0.01 to 1% by mass of an inorganic base, (D) from 0.5 to 6% by mass of a linear saturated alcohol having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, (E) from 0.1 to 20% by mass of an oil agent, and (F) water, in which the total amount of components (A) and (D), [(A)+(D)], is from 2.5 to 12% by mass; the mass ratio (A)/[(A)+(D)], which is the mass ratio of component (A) to the total amount of components (A) and (D), [(A)+(D)], is from 0.2 to 0.7; the molar ratio (B)/[(B)+(C)], which is the molar ratio of component (B) to the total amount of components (B) and (C), [(B)+(C)], is from 5 to 60 mol %; and the molar ratio [(B)+(C)]/(A), which is the molar ratio of the total amount of components (B) and (C), [(B)+(C)], to component (A), is from 10 to 80 mol %.