A film-shaped external preparation composition is provided, which is excellent in usability without occurrence of the residues due to a film-forming agent during or after use. The film-shaped external preparation composition comprises a water-soluble cellulose derivative as a primary component of the film； and contains hydroxyethyl urea. Also, it is preferred that the film-shaped external preparation composition is obtained by drying an aqueous solution comprising 40 to 70 mass % of the water-soluble cellulose derivative and 0.01 to 10 mass % of the hydroxyethyl urea. Also, it is preferred that, in the film-shaped external preparation composition, the water-soluble cellulose derivative is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.
