PURPOSE: To obtain the title composition which causes neither any change nor extinction of formed color due to vibration or thermal change and is improved in economy by dissolving a specified amount of an α-sulfofatty acid derivative in water.

CONSTITUTION: An α-sulfofatty acid (a) of formula I [wherein R1 is 6-22C alkyl; M is H, an alkali metal, (substituted) ammonium or an amino acid residue] and an excess of a higher alcohol or thioalcohol (b) are reacted in a solvent by heating while evaporating the by-product water outside the system, thus giving an α-sulfofatty acid derivative of formula II (wherein R2 is R1; Y is O, S or of formula III; R3 is H or 1-4C alkyl). 0.1-5wt.% of this derivative is dissolved in water, and if necessary, component (a), component (b), amine, glycol, polyhydric alcohol, cholesterol, ester, perfume, antiseptic, antioxidant, bactericide, coloring matter, etc., are added to the solution.