The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a composition for external application to the skin containing a salt-resistant polymer and an acidic polysaccharide. The composition does not cause balling up of a cosmetic on the skin when a cosmetic is applied on the composition after the composition is applied on the skin. The composition for external application to the skin contains (A) a salt-resistant polymer, (B) an acidic polysaccharide, and (C) an amphipathic compound represented by the general formula (1): Z—[O-{(EO)a(PO)b}-(AO)c—H]n (1) wherein n, a, b, and c each represent a specific number； and Z, EO, PO, and AO each represent a specific group.
