Questions tagged [cosmetics]

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body.

The word cosmetics derives from the Greek κοσμητική τέχνη (kosmetikē tekhnē), meaning "art of dress and ornament", from κοσμητικός (kosmētikos), "skilled in ordering or arranging" and that from κόσμος (kosmos), meaning amongst others "order" and "ornament".

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, hand sanitizer, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butters and many other types of products. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up," which refers primarily to colored products intended to alter the user’s appearance.

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Does the temperature of the water when you shave affect your pores?

I have heard from a number of people advice that using hot water either before or during shaving "opens your pores" to give you a closer shave. (As discussed on a makeup site, The Art of Shaving, and The Consumerist) Similarly some people claim…
Martha F.
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Does plucking/epilation impact hair growth?

I've recently encountered the idea that plucking an area of hair (say, with tweezers) causes the hair to grow back thicker/denser/stiffer etc. yet I remain skeptical. This concept is rampant with anecdotal evidence, mainly amongst those trying to…
eMansipater
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Does shampoo containing pro-B5 affect the appearance of hair?

Many shampoos contain vitamins. Elvive Vitamax shampoo for example, is variously promised to contain "Vitamin pro-B5" which makes hair full of vitality. Is this additive useful?
Martin Tournoij
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What hair-care benefits come from adding fruit or fruit-extracts to shampoo?

Shampoo manufacturers seem to be very keen to tell us about the all the fruit and fruit-extracts they put in their product. I suspect that the hair-care actually comes from the other ingredients they put in it. Is shampoo with added fruit really…
billpg
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Does using moisturizer regularly have long-term positive effects? And is it better to start sooner?

A friend uses moisturizing lotions/creams daily. No fancy purported anti-aging creams, just run-of-the-mill, relatively low-cost moisturizer. She has the impression that regular use of moisturizer is supposed to have positive effects on how your…
Henrik N
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Do the warm oils penetrate the skin the same way as a normal oil would after manual warming?

By warm oils I mean "pepper seed oil", and "sesame oil". These oils are said to have inherent warmth due to which they increase blood circulation. The secret of essential oils' effectiveness lies in the speed at which they are absorbed through our…
Aquarius_Girl
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Does shaving with cold water produce a closer shave?

The claim is discussed at The Art of Manliness, as quoted from the book Shaving Made Easy (1824): . . . the author argues that the idea that a soft beard gives a better shave is a bunch of bunk and that hot water should be avoided: A hair, as is…
Flimzy
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Do vaginal tightening creams work?

From a billboard in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (population 1.4 million) Vagina Tight залуужуулах цогц эмчилгээ [Google translate from Mongolian into English: comprehensive rejuvenation treatment] (I think it is talking about creams - I might be…
Andrew Grimm
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Does potassium alum soften the burning sensation after shaving?

A friend of mine suggested me to use a wet alum stone after shaving. Is this efficient?
Benoit
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Are cosmetic/pharmaceutical products without parabens healthier than counterparts with it?

Parabens are a class of preservative used in cosmetics and health related products. A large number of products, especially for infants, claim to be free of parabens implying that this is somewhat better. An even larger number of products contain…
Francesco
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Does soap help prevent body odor?

One of my friends told me he stopped using soap years ago and I never smelt anything bad. I wanted to test it and changed my shower routine to just warm water and thoroughly using my hands to scrub my body. The results were amazing, I didn't notice…
cybrbeast
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Are fairness creams effective?

In south east Asia there is a craze for getting fair complexion in women, hence cosmetics companies - like Unilever, which sells Fair & Lovely creams throughout the Middle East and Indian subcontinent - are earning good money by making…
Zia
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