1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
Face powder is a cosmetic powder applied to the face to set a foundation after application. It can also be reapplied throughout the day to minimize shininess caused by oily skin. There is translucent sheer powder, and there is pigmented powder. Certain types of pigmented facial powders are meant be worn alone with no base foundation. Powder tones the face and gives an even appearance. Besides toning the face, some powders with sunscreen can also reduce skin damage from sunlight and environmental stress. It comes packaged either as a compact or as loose powder. It can be applied with a sponge, brush, or powder puff. Uniform distribution over the face is achieved more easily when a loose powder is applied. Because of the wide variation among human skin tones, there is a corresponding variety of colors of face powder. There are also several types of powder. A common powder used in beauty products is corncob (or baby powder), which is absorbent and provides toning to the skin.
It can also be applied generously to the higher points of the face to brighten, colour correct and highlight, through a technique termed baking (aka cooking). this technique also helps to increase the coverage of the make-up whilst helping the makeup stay in place for longer.
A corncob, also spelled corn cob, is the central core of an ear ofmaize (Zea mays ssp. mays). It is the part of the ear on which thekernels grow. The ear is also considered a “cob” or “pole” but it is not fully a “pole” until the ear is shucked, or removed from the plant material around the ear.
Young ears, also called baby corn, can be consumed raw, but as the plant matures the cob becomes tougher until only the kernels are edible.
When harvesting corn, the corncob may be collected as part of the ear (necessary for corn on the cob), or instead may be left as part of the corn stover in the field.
The innermost part of the cob is white and has a consistency similar to foam plastic.
Cosmetics are referred to as substances that make the face, body and hair look more attractive; generally, the study of cosmetology came into existence in the year 1895, in Chicago. Cosmetology is a branch of applied science, which deals with the external embellishment of the human, through the use of cosmetic products.
Cosmetics are of different types and are divided into hair care, body care, and make-up. Concisely, hair care cosmetics are referred to as the shampoo, Relaxers, conditioners, styling gel, pink oil, etc. Thus, there are used to beautify the hair. The body care cosmetics are the body creams and body lotions; they are cleansing creams and moisturizers, which are used for the body (Skin) Beautification.
Make-up cosmetics are referred to as powders, lipsticks, Wet-lips, cortex etc. powder is one of the cosmetic product that is widely used and very important to man since individuals want to promote their beauty.
Thus, powders are chemical formulation which are used on the external part of the skin e.g. face.
Powders are classified into three different types which are known as the simple powders, Antiseptic/Medicated powders, and Brown powders. Though, generally, the various powders are being applied on the skin but two of the powders named are basically for face beautification e.g Simple powder and Brown powder. The Antiseptic/Medicated are being applied on the body (Skin), when there is prickly heat rashes on the skin in other to inhabit or eliminate the micro-organisms that are infectious or causes infection to the human skin.
The qualities of the different powder products depends on the active ingredients and other additives added to it during it’s formulation. No single powder contains all the desired qualities needed by man and as such different powder cosmetics products exist in the market so as to meet the choice of individuals and as to such any of the product becomes medicated/Antiseptic powder when it contains germicidal or Antiseptic compounds including materials like Irzasan DP 300, Triclosan, menthol etc.Any antiseptic added to powder must have selective toxicity so that it can only affact the particular micro-organisms activity to be controlled or eliminated and do not have any negative effect when applied on the skin (face or any part of the body.).
Hence, the brown powder (pan-cake or pressed powder) are pro duced purposely for the compliment of the skin colour.
Though, they vary in colours they are produced through the same medium the brown powder has three different colours namely colour 1, colour 2, colour 3. Basically, colour 1 is produced for those with white skin colour people, colour 2 is produced for chocolate colour people, and colour 3 is produced for black skin colour people. Thus, the production of the brown powder is more tedious when compared to simple and Antiseptic/Medicated powders. Due to the process it under goes during the production. Thus, the simple powder is the most easiest and cheapest to produce among the three different types of powder.
Generally, in the production of various powders, the materials used are the corncobum, Zinc-oxide, Perfume, Menthol, Mineral oil, Irgasan DP 300, but not all the materials named above are used in the production of the different powders, like the simple powder, Corncobum, Perfume and Zinc oxide; if the need arise but it can be produced using Corncobum and perfume. The Antiseptic /Medicated powders, Irgasan DP 300,Corncobum are used in the production process, while the brown powders zinc state, corncobum mineral oil, colour and perfume are used during the production.
Hence, in the production of powder, there are some quality control the producer must adhere to during production, the powder materials must be smooth and very fine in texture, in other words, there should not be particles in the powder and furthermore, the oil level must not exceed the normal quantity and a good oil should be used and the mineral oil should be very pure (Technical oil) that is a purified oil.
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research work is to produce facial powder using corncob. The specific objectives of this study include the following;
- To examine the benefits of facials powder on human skin;
- To produce facial powder with a corncob; and
- To examine the quality of facial powders marketed in market.
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