Cosmetics

Cosmetics (Gr. kosmeō, 'I adorn') are chemical preparations employed for improving the appearance of the skin and hair. Several of the cosmetics in use are comparatively harmless, such as perfumed starch and chalk (see ROUGE); whilst others, such as pearl white (the subnitrate of bismuth, see BISMUTH), are more or less poisonous, and dangerous to use. At all times, the employment of cosmetics is to be discouraged, as the minute particles tend to fill up and clog the pores of the skin, and prevent the free passage of gases and vapours, which is so essential to the preservation of any animal organ in a thorough state of health.