For a cosmetic plant wastewater containing surfactants of high concentration, adsorption treatment by granular activated carbon(GAC) having different pore size distribution was studied. Three sorts GACs were used and regenerated afterwards with methanol. Experiments were composed of batch process and column test for both virgin and regenerated GACs. Following conclusions were drawn from the study: Methylene blue activating substance(MBAS) adsorption data from the batch tests for three GACs are described well by BET isotherm and Freundich isotherm. Simulation with the BET isotherm shows that maximum adsorption appears to be affected not only by specific surface area but also by pore size distribution. Maximum adsorption from the BET isotherm for MBAS appears to diminish as the number of reactivation increases. The diminishing ratio of maximum adsorption appears to decrease as the pore size decreases. Recovery ratio of the methanol by vacuum evaporation from the spent methanol ranges from 95% to 97%.