The object of this invention is to provide a UV protective powder, and a cosmetic preparation in which the dispersibility of metal oxide is kept at a high level, and the UV protection activity and transparency of the preparation are satisfactorily maintained. A metal oxide/silica composite wherein metal oxide particles whose primary particle diameter is 1-1000 nm are co-dispersed finely with silica particles, and the metal oxide particles exist substantially as primary particles in the composite. The composite is preferably obtained by mixing (1) a dispersion comprising a silica sol where silica particles have a primary particle diameter of 1-150 nm, and (2) fine particles of metal oxide whose primary particle diameter is 1-1000 nm, or a sol of the same metal oxide, and the metal oxide existing as fine particles or a sol preferably consists of one, or two or more selected from a group consisting of titanium oxide, zinc oxide and cerium oxide. Also a cosmetic preparation comprising thereof is provided.