An α-gel-generating composition consisting of: 20 to 80 mass% of a mixture containing one or more higher alcohols having 16 or more carbon atoms and a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 7 to 17 in the mole ratio of 3:2 to 5:1, and 20 to 80 mass% of a mixture containing one or more water-soluble solvents having the IOB (inorganic organic balance) value of 1.5 to 3.5 and water in the mass ratio of 4:6 to 8:2: wherein the nonionic surfactant is one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene glyceryl fatty acid esters; wherein the water-soluble solvent having the IOB value of 1.5 to 3.5 is one or more water-soluble solvents selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol, isoprene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4 butanediol, and propylene glycol; wherein the composition is a liquid consisting of a bicontinuous microemulsion phase or a lamellar liquid crystal-dispersed bicontinuous microemulsion phase at 50 to 80 °C and a solid at room temperature; and wherein the composition generates α-gel by the addition of water after the liquid is formed by heating to 50 to 80°C. 20 to 80 mass% of a mixture containing one or more higher alcohols having 16 or more carbon atoms and a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of 7 to 17 in the mole ratio of 3:2 to 5:1, and 20 to 80 mass% of a mixture containing one or more water-soluble solvents having the IOB (inorganic organic balance) value of 1.5 to 3.5 and water in the mass ratio of 4:6 to 8:2: wherein the nonionic surfactant is one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene glyceryl fatty acid esters; wherein the water-soluble solvent having the IOB value of 1.5 to 3.5 is one or more water-soluble solvents selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol, isoprene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4 butanediol, and propylene glycol; wherein the composition is a liquid consisting of a bicontinuous microemulsion phase or a lamellar liquid crystal-dispersed bicontinuous microemulsion phase at 50 to 80 °C and a solid at room temperature; and wherein the composition generates α-gel by the addition of water after the liquid is formed by heating to 50 to 80°C. wherein the nonionic surfactant is one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and polyoxyethylene glyceryl fatty acid esters; wherein the water-soluble solvent having the IOB value of 1.5 to 3.5 is one or more water-soluble solvents selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol, isoprene glycol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4 butanediol, and propylene glycol; wherein the composition is a liquid consisting of a bicontinuous microemulsion phase or a lamellar liquid crystal-dispersed bicontinuous microemulsion phase at 50 to 80 °C and a solid at room temperature; and wherein the composition generates α-gel by the addition of water after the liquid is formed by heating to 50 to 80°C.