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A.Word.A.Day--comedogenic

comedogenic (kom-i-do-JEN-ik) adjective

Causing or aggravating acne.

[From New Latin comedo, from Latin comed (glutton, from the worm-shaped pasty mass that can be squeezed from the hair follicles; from the name formerly given to worms which feed on the body), from comedere (to eat up), from com- + edere (to eat) + -genic (producing), from Greek -gens (born).]

This term in its negative form is often found on bottles and tubes of cosmetics. It's put there by marketers as a select blend of technical terms (pH-balanced is another example) to make the concoction appear high-tech. That and the bilingual labeling of the packaging (in French, even though the product is sold to English-speaking populace) assure customers that the product will take 10 years off the users' age.

"Any makeup should be non-comedogenic, if it's worn at all." Acne Reasons; The Indian Express (New Delhi, India); Feb 23, 2005.

This week's theme: miscellaneous words.

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