# Flammable Cosmetics and Smoking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 26, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577 "2015-09-26T16:11:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panther1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@panther1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panther1)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2015, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/1 "2015-09-26T16:11:35Z")
I use a lot of cosmetics, I have dry/irritated skin. Some of the cosmetics are alcohol based too such as my aftershave and hair gels/sprays. Plus, I also use a lot of moisturizer. Since, I smoke a lot, accidentally getting in contact with lighter flame, for a few seconds, have happened on several occasion. With, all this flammable stuff all over, is there any risk of catching fire? I mean, do these stay flammable, even after applying? Isn’t alcohol supposed to evaporate quickly? And, even when they dry, there is oily residue on face, don’t know if that’s flammable? ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2015, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/2 "2015-09-27T04:37:23Z")
As a smoker, I can’t imagine a scenario where the actual lighter flame would ever need to be so close to your face to actually come in contact with any cosmetics. As for cologne, the alcohol evaporates pretty quickly. Again, why the actual flame would be so close to ignite the cologne once it is applied to your body I don’t know. An actual experiment I just did when I went out to smoke: Cologne sprayed on lighter: small burst of flames. Quickly out. Cologne sprayed on lit cigarette: cigarette was extinguished. Awful smell of wet cigarette an cologne. Most of my cologne/aftershave/hairspray says do not **apply** while smoking or near open flame. Nothing about **wearing** the product near fire. Could it happen? Sure. Will it? Probably not. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2015, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/3 "2015-09-27T05:04:48Z")
Someone seems to be [afraid of catching on fire.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=756369) ---
**Author:** ![panther1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/91b2a8/32.png) [@panther1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panther1)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2015, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/4 "2015-09-27T08:40:09Z")
> [@Mudshark](#): > > Someone seems to be [afraid of catching on fire.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=756369) I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2015, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/5 "2015-09-27T08:42:42Z")
> [@panther1](#): > > I have obsessive-compulsive disorder. I see. Well, as another smoker, and a someone who tends to overdo my cologne, I can say I’ve never had any problems with smoking and wearing too much cologne. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/6 "2015-09-27T12:12:35Z")
> [@panther1](#): > > I use a lot of cosmetics, I have dry/irritated skin. Some of the cosmetics are alcohol based too such as my aftershave and hair gels/sprays. Plus, I also use a lot of moisturizer. … IANA medical expert. But IMO this: “I have dry/irritated skin.” is caused or exacerbated by “I use a lot of cosmetics … Some of the cosmetics are alcohol based” Keep all the gunk off your skin for a couple months and let us know how your skin improves. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flammable-cosmetics-and-smoking/732577/7 "2015-09-27T17:11:35Z")
Have you thought about quitting smoking? That would nicely resolve the fear.