Cosmetics having a UV shielding effect in a broad range from UV-B to UV-A and capable of preventing erythema and melanosis due to sunburn. Cosmetics containing conventional particulates titanium dioxide cannot exhibit a sufficient UV prevention effect and involve the problems that they are uncomfortable to the touch and are apt to give a dusty finish. The cosmetics of the invention contain spindle-shaped fine titanium dioxide particles having a mean minor axis of 0.03 to 0.06 mu m, a mean major axis of 0.08 to 0.12 mu m and an aspect ratio (major axis/minor axis) of 2 to 4 alone or together with metal oxides having a mean particle diameter of at least 0.2 mu m.
