The purpose of the present invention is to provide an oil-in-water emulsion composition exhibiting high UV-protective capabilities with which it is possible to uniformly and stably disperse a hydrophobized metal oxide into an inner phase (oil phase) without detracting from the inherent fresh sensation on use of an oil-in-water emulsion composition even when a high amount of the hydrophobized metal oxide is compounded therewith. In summary, the present invention is an oil-in-water emulsion composition characterized by including (A) 0.1-5 mass % of polyether-modified silicone having an HLB (Si) of 5-14, (B) one or more hydrophilic thickeners, (C) a metal oxide hydrophobized by an agent other than metal soap, and (D) nonvolatile oil other than silicone oil, the (C) hydrophobized metal oxide being present in the inner phase.