A boron nitride powder including flat-shaped primary particles of BN and an aggregate of the primary particles has a water permeation speed not less than 1 mm2/s and oil absorption of 100 ml/100 g to 500 ml/100 g, which is a cosmetic boron nitride powder with high hydrophilicity and high oil absorbency. The use of such a boron nitride powder provides a cosmetic that is significantly improved not only in gloss finish and transparency (bare skin feeling) but also in sustainability.
