A liquid cosmetic which minimizes the stickiness or stiffness caused by the incorporation of a large amount of a moisturizing agent and which exhibits richness and freshness in use is provided. This liquid cosmetic contains 10 to 40 mass% of a moisturizing agent (a), 0.01 to 3 mass% of an oil (b), 0.01 to 5 mass% of a hydrophilic surfactant (c) and 0.001 to 03 mass% of polyacrylic acid or a metal salt thereof (d), and is characterized in that the average diameter of the emulsified particles is 500mm or smaller. It is preferable that the amount of a polyalkylene glycol, contained in the moisturizing agent (a) is adjusted to 0.1 to 3 mm% relative to the whole cosmetic.