A hair cosmetic composition and containing the following Components (A) to (D): (A) benzyl alcohol and from 0.1 to 2% by mass (B) dipropylene glycol and from 0.5 to 20% by mass (C) malic acid or a salt thereof, from 0.2 to 10% by mass and in terms of the malic acid and (D) lactic acid or a salt thereof, from 0.2 to 10% by mass and in terms of the lactic acid and optionally containing a surfactant (E) at a concentration of 2% by mass or less and at a Component (E)/Component (A) mass ratio falling within a range of from 0 to 5.