External preparations for skin

The present invention is a skin treatment composition that characteristically contains an alkyl benzoate represented by the following general formula (1). This provides a skin treatment composition that gives a refreshing sensation at the time of application and can contain drugs and ultraviolet absorbents in a stable manner. Also, the present invention is a sunblock water-in-oil type emulsified cosmetic characteristically comprising an ester bond product of polyhydroxystearic acid represented by the following general formulas (2) or (3), alkyl benzoate represented by the following general formula (1), and an ultraviolet absorbent. This provides a sunblock cosmetic consisting of a water-in-oil type emulsified composition that can contain an ultraviolet absorbent in a stable manner and exhibits a superior usability. (In this formula, R denotes a branched or straight chain alkyl group having 8-15 carbon atoms.) (In this formula, R 1 and R 2 denote, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, a+b denotes an integer 1-30, and m denotes an integer 10-200.) (In this formula, R 1 and R 2 denote, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms, a+b denotes an integer 1-30, and n denotes an integer 1-30.)