PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a skin external preparation that is excellent in temporal stability, gives no slimy feeling, and has a fresh use feeling.SOLUTION: This invention relates to a skin external preparation comprising: acylated hydroxy citric acid represented by the following formula and/or salt thereof 0.01-3 wt.% and fermentative cellulose 0.01-0.25 wt.%., where R is a C12-22 acyl group and M, Mand Mare selected from H, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and organic base.