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Cosmetics firms are usually secretive about the ingredients they use, but international patent WO 03/037288 reveals the secrets of a new skin-smoother from L’Oreal of Paris. The skin normally secrets sebum oil to keep the surface smooth: the palms of hands and the soles of the feet are rough because they do not. Too much sunbathing can dry out the sebum and make the whole body look like a rough sole, says L’Oreal. Its remedy is a cosmetic that mimics sebum, and the essential ingredient is…cholesterol. When mixed with triglycerides and squalene, it makes unsightly dry skin look supple again. Just don’t eat it.