Cosmeceuticals: An emerging concept

Abstract

'cosmeceuticals', which is the fastest growing segment of the natural personal care industry. Cosmeceuticals (or alternatively, cosmaceuticals) are topical cosmeticpharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the beauty through ingredients that provide additional health-related function or benefit. They are applied topically as cosmetics, but contain ingredients that influence the skin's biological function. [1] The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics by their intended use, as 'articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.' Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye, and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. [2] These cosmeceuticals, serving as a bridge between personal care products and pharmaceuticals, have been developed specifically for their medicinal and cosmetic benefits. Tracing the origin of cosmetics, the first recorded use of cosmetics is attributed to Egyptians, circa 4000 BC. The ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, and Hebrews also applied cosmetics. In other cases, such as European cosmetic known as Ceruse was used from the second century to the 19 th century. Cosmeceutically active ingredients are constantly being developed by big and small corporations engaged in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, natural products, and cosmetics, while advances in the field and knowledge of skin

Seeing the next iphone coming your way: How to anticipate converging industries

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Sustainability, natural and organic cosmetics: consumer, products, efficacy, toxicological and regulatory considerations

“…These natural products have chemical ingredients, for example, flavonoids, tannis, phenolics, aminoacids and vitamins, cosmetics for body care and the botanical ingredients influence the biological functions of the skin (Dureja et al, 2005;Lee et al, 2013;Binic et al, 2013) can play a major role in the treatment of several skin disorders (De Wet, Nciki, Van Vuuren, 2013). Souza et al (2011) reports a study with Baccharis dracunculifolia, native plant from Brazil commonly known as "Alecrim do campo" and "Vassoura".…”

Validation of Medicinal Herbs for Skin Aging

“…From ancient times, Egyptians were the first to use whipped ostrich eggs, olive oil, and resin mixed with milk for the treatment of various skin problems or for beautifying [11]. The topical application of herbal products serves as cosmetics for the care of the body, and bioactive molecules influence the biological functions of the skin, and provide the nutrients necessary for a healthy skin [12]. Actually, they are enriched with vitamins, 5.…”