A porous silica particle optimized as the scrubbing agent to be used for a cleansing cosmetic is provided. The porous silica particle according to the present invention has an average circularity of 0.1 to 0.5, a pore volume (Pv) of 1.0 to 2.0 ml/g, a mode diameter (Dm) of 50 to 600 µm, and a ratio of the maximum particle diameter (D100) to the mode diameter (Dm), (D100/Dm), of 3.0 or less. The porous silica particle according to the present invention moreover has a median size (DR50) of 0.5 to 25 µm and the maximum particle diameter (DR100) of 1 to 100 µm, after rubbing with a load of 1.0 to 1.4 KPa for 30 seconds. With the cleansing cosmetic containing this particle, the skin is rubbed by the frictional force generated by the friction with the skin at the rubbing. Therefore, the mild peeling effect for the stratum corneum is obtained and the damage of the skin and the micro damage on the stratum corneum can be prevented.
