PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cosmetic which is excellent in moisture retention, smoothness, and fitness, and to provide a cellulose derivative which can be used as a material contained in such a cosmetic and has excellent solubility in water.SOLUTION: The acylated carboxymethyl cellulose has a degree of acylation of 1.0 to 2.0, a degree of carboxymethylation of 0.7 to 1.3, and a weight average molecular weight of 5000 to 20000, and has a specific structural unit containing any of an acetyl group, a carboxymethyl group, and a salt of carboxymethyl group, where a sum of the degree of acylation and the degree of carboxymethylation is 3.0 or less. Also provided is a cosmetic containing such acylated carboxymethyl cellulose.