A water-based cosmetic that includes: (A) ceramidic compound-containing particles that include a ceramidic compound and that are dispersed as an oil phase in an aqueous phase; (B) a fatty acid component composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of fatty acids and fatty acid salts; and (C) a polyhydric alcohol component that includes a first polyhydric alcohol having an IOB of 2.2 or more and a total content in the composition of from 3% by mass to 20% by mass, and a second polyhydric alcohol having an IOB of 2.0 or less and a total content in the composition of 0% by mass or not more than 3% by mass, wherein a total content of surfactant in the composition is 0% by mass or not more than 1% by mass, and a total mass of ceramidic compound in the composition is at least 3.0 times a total mass of the fatty acid component in the composition.