COSMECEUTICALS

The use of cosmeceuticals as therapies can be traced back to early man. Around 10,000 BC, ancient Egyptians first (started applying scented oils and ointments to clean and soften skin and mask body odor.)

Cosmeceuticals are the fastest-growing portion of the natural personal care industry. Cosmeceuticals are topical products (cosmetic pharmaceutical hybrid) intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. The term "Cosmeceuticals" is formed by the combination of two words, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Raymond Reed founding member of the US Society of Cosmetic Chemists, coined the term cosmeceutical' in 1961. In the late 1970s, the word "cosmeceuticals" was popularized by Albert M. Kligman. In 1971, Albert Klingman built a formula to enhance UV-damaged and wrinkled skin by using retinoic acid. In the 1980s, cosmeceuticals rapidly expanded due to hydroxy acids (natural fruit acids) used as exfoliants against wrinkles.

A cosmeceutical is a product with medicinal properties that manifests beneficial topical actions and provides protection against degenerative skin. The word "cosmeceutical" was coined by dermatologist Albert M. Kligman, The term encompasses cosmetic actives with therapeutic, disease-fighting, or healing properties.

Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products but they give a therapeutic action due to the presence of API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient). The "cosmeceutical" term only applies to products applied externally, such as creams, lotions, and ointments. Products similar in perceived benefits but ingested orally are known as nutricosmetics.

For example, vitamin C and E are known antioxidants and when these are added to a lotion, cream, or serum the product is called a cosmeceutical" The main ingredients used in these products are Vitamins, Fruit/Herb/Vegetable Extracts, Essential Oils, and Minerals.

The FDA does not consider cosmeceuticals as an individual class of beauty products. A product is either regulated as a cosmetic or it is regulated as a drug, and where it falls depends on the types of claims that are being made. It only recognizes three categories: drugs, cosmetics, and soaps.

The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics by their intended use, as intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing or beautifying the look.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "COSMETICS" & "COSMECEUTICALS:

Cosmeceuticals typically contain levels of active ingredients including phytochemicals, vitamins, etc. Like cosmetics, cosmeceuticals are topically applied but contain ingredients that influence the biological function of the skin. Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products with a medicinal component or a substance having biological activity.

Cosmeceutical products are intended to improve appearance from a functional standpoint whereas Cosmetics are used just to color and adorn the body in a stylish fashion, leaving the real problem unaddressed.

Cosmeceuticals improve appearance by delivering nutrients necessary for healthy skin. Cosmeceuticals typically improve skin tone, texture, and radiance, while reducing wrinkling.

Among the products included in this definition are moisturizers, perfumes, nail polishes, eye, and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.

The use of plant parts such as leaves, fruits, flowers, stems, bark, buds, and roots has been of great use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications since ancient times. They are widespread and were used for purposes such as moisturizing, whitening, tanning, color cosmetics, sunscreen, radical scavenging, antioxidants, immunostimulants, washings, preservatives, thickeners, etc.

Many cosmetics contain synthetic chemicals that react adversely to the skin which is why the need for natural and organic products is growing day by day. Synthetic or artificial ingredients in cosmetics affect the skin even faster. For example usually found in cosmetics, such as bentonite, parabens, propylene, and ethylene glycol.