The invention provides a polymer composite particle having superb blending
stability even in a W/O emulsion cosmetic, a highly effective ultraviolet
protection effect and a good feeling in use. The invention also relates
to a method of producing the polymer composite particle and a cosmetic
composition containing the polymer composite particle. A preferred
polymer composite particle contains a metal oxide coated with a silicone
and/or fluorine compound and has an average particle diameter of 1 .mu.m
or less, wherein the polymer composite particle is obtained by
polymerizing a crosslinking agent with a vinyl monomer contained in an
amount of 25% by weight based on 100% by weight of the sum of total of
all the monomers and crosslinking agent and wherein the vinyl monomer has
a solubility parameter calculated by the Fedors method of less than about
8.9. A preferred cosmetic composition may contain (A) a microparticle
metal oxide having an average primary particle diameter of from 0.001 to
0.1 .mu.m, and (B) a flake zinc oxide having an average primary particle
size of from 0.1 .mu.m to 1 .mu.m and an average thickness of from 0.01
.mu.m to 0.2 .mu.m, which provides ultraviolet protection ability and
visible-light transmittance.