Disclosed is an esterification reaction product which is capable of gelling both an oil agent and a cyclic silicone or a volatile dimethylpolysiloxane, or both an oil agent and a nonvolatile dimethylpolysiloxane. Also disclosed are a gelling agent containing the esterification reaction product, and a cosmetic preparation containing the esterification reaction product or the gelling product and having an excellent feeling of use. Specifically, the cosmetic preparation contains, as a gelling agent, an esterification reaction product which is obtained by esterifying a component A that is a polyhydric alcohol or a condensate thereof, a component B that is a saturated dibasic acid having 10-28 carbon atoms, a component C that is a linear saturated fatty acid having 16-28 carbon atoms, and a component D that is a branched saturated fatty acid having 8-28 carbon atoms at a blending ratio (component A : component B) of 1.0 mole : 0.10-0.20 mole.
