How to Get Cosmetic in Starfield

No makeup brushes included.

A picture of Cosmetic in Starfield

In the real world, cosmetic is a mixture of chemicals typically used for hygiene and skin care. While your Starfield character can wear makeup, you’re probably looking to get some of this resource because of a research project or crafting recipe. After discovering it in helmet mod recipes, I know I started looking for some. Continue reading to learn how to get cosmetic in Starfield.

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Where to Find Cosmetic in Starfield

There are three ways to get cosmetic in Starfield:

  • Purchase from merchants.
  • Defeat enemies and loot them.
  • Explore enemy ships and other planets.

Where to Buy Cosmetic in Starfield

Most vendors will sale cosmetic. Some, however, more than others. Here are the vendors that sale cosmetic in Starfield:

  • Jemison Mercantile in New Atlantis.
  • The Shepard’s General Store on the planet, Akila.
  • Siegehart’s Outfitters on the planet, Volii Alpha.
  • UC Exchange on the planet, Mars.

When you get to a vendor, browse the resource section. While you’re not guaranteed to find cosmetic immediately, you can rest and wait for 24 in-game hours before rechecking the materials list. Doing this restocks and randomizes your options, giving you more opportunities to get cosmetic.

Cosmetic in Shop Starfield
Screenshot by Prima Games (click to enlarge)

The price and quantity of cosmetic available fluctuate daily, so watch for any that can help you save money or get all the items you need.

Harvesting and Looting Cosmetic in Starfield

Most crafting components, including cosmetic, are also available in the world, mainly through harvesting resources on planets, defeating enemies for loot, and finding them as individual items in containers. If you’re not into buying cosmetic, farming can become useful. Here are some creatures and plants that drop cosmetic:

  • Carasnail Scavenger: Found on Jemison in Deciduous Forest and Mountainous biomes.
  • Cliff Laurel: Found on Jemison in Mountainous and Savanna biomes.
  • Schooling Kronosaurus Grazer: Found on Sumati in Ocean biomes.
  • Herding Coralbucket Filterer: Found on Gagarin in Swamp, Rocky Desert and Wetland biomes.

Although corpses and containers have random loot, it’s always worth checking them to see if they have any valuable weapons, crafting materials, or even some credits.

If you plan on exploring different planets, scan flora and fauna to see if they produce cosmetic. If so, you can focus on them and stockpile the resource without spending money.

What Is Cosmetic Used for in Starfield?

Cosmetic is an uncommon organic resource used in research and crafting recipes. The helmet mod project shown below is the first time we found cosmetic as a required material, which unlocks several mods that also use cosmetic. If you plan to improve your helmets, be prepared to stockpile plenty of this resource.

Starfield Cosmetic in Research Project
Screenshot by Prima Games (click to enlarge)

Manufactured materials like poly-textiles also require cosmetic to craft. You’ll also spot it as a crafting material for outpost structures occasionally, so keep some around in case you feel like building later.

Starfield is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S. To learn more, check out all Ship Services Technician locations in Starfield, or click the game tag below to explore our growing content collection.

About the Author

Madison Benson

Madison was a staff writer at Prima Games who has played video games for over twenty years and written about them for over two years. Her love for video games started with turn-based strategy games like Heroes of Might and Magic and has since extended to casual farming sims, MMORPGs, and action-adventure RPGs.