To improve the solubility, usability, etc., of a perfume-containing aqueous compsn. without using ethyl alcohol as a solvent for the perfume and also without using a surfactant by compounding water with the perfume by using a lower alcohol having a main chain of at least C4 as the main ingredient of the solvent for the perfume.

At least 40wt.% water is compounded with 20wt.% or less perfume by using 2.0 to 60wt.%, or 2.0 to 20.0wt.% when it is used for a lotion, based on the whole compsn., lower alcohol having at least 4 carbon atoms in the main chain, such as 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, and further less than 60wt.% ethyl alcohol for improving the solubility of the perfume and, if necessary, 1.0wt.% or less, based on the whole compsn., surfactant are incorporated therein. In addition to these constituents, polysaccharides, cholesterols, placenta extract, vegetable extracts such as licorice extract, antioxidants, and UV absorbers may also be used. The compsn. is suitably combined with other components for use as a cosmetic such as a milky lotion, lotion or cream or as a medicine for external application to the skin.