Provided are surface-modified inorganic oxide fine particles that are added with water dispersibility while maintaining properties of inorganic oxide fine particles, such as transparency, ultraviolet blocking ability, weatherability, and photodiscoloration resistance a method for producing the surface-modified inorganic oxide fine particles and a sunscreen cosmetic containing the surface-modified inorganic oxide fine particles.The surface-modified inorganic oxide fine particles include inorganic oxide fine particles having an average particle size of 200 nm or less and a group containing a polyglycerol chain and modifying surfaces of the particles. The inorganic oxide is preferably selected from titanium oxides, silicon oxides, aluminum oxides, zirconium oxide, and zinc oxide.
