To provide an intermediate for two chains and two hydrophilic group-bearing anionic surfactant that can easily be produced by using only inexpensive raw materials, an anionic surfactant bearing two chains, two hydrophilic groups and shows excellent biodegradability and cosmetics including the surfactant.

The diol is prepared by epoxidizing the double bonds in the oleic acid molecule and is followed by hydroxylating the resultant epoxide groups. The sulfate or phosphate or their neutralized salts are obtained by introducing two sulfate groups or phosphate groups into the two hydroxy groups of the diol. The cosmetic includes at least one of them.