A composition for external use on skin that can be spread evenly on the skin, does not produce a liquid residue as a result of temperature change, and can suppress a feeling of sliminess of xanthan gum is provided. There are provided a composition for external use on skin containing 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass of a component (A) (a water-soluble polymer obtained by mixing agar with xanthan gum) and 30% by mass or more of a component (D) (water); the composition for external use on skin containing 0.5% by mass to 40% by mass of a divalent polyol as a component (B); the composition for external use on skin according to any one of the above compositions, which contains moisturizers as a component (C); and the composition for external use on skin according to any one of the above compositions, which contains oil as a component (E).