The present invention addresses the problem of providing a gel like cosmetic preparation which is not susceptible to decrease in the viscosity even though an electrolyte is contained therein and which offers a non conventional gelatinous texture when initially applied to the skin while giving smooth touch once completely applied thereto. The present invention provides a gel like composition which contains 0.3 3% by mass of an alkyl modified carboxyl group containing water soluble polymer 3 20% by mass of a polyhydric alcohol and 0.25 5% by mass of an inorganic salt. The alkyl modified carboxyl group containing water soluble polymer is (i) a polymer that is obtained by polymerizing a (meth)acrylic acid and a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having an alkyl group with 18 24 carbon atoms or (ii) a polymer that is obtained by polymerizing a (meth)acrylic acid a (meth)acrylic acid alkyl ester having an alkyl group with 18 24 carbon atoms and a compound having two or more ethylenically unsaturated groups.
