A cosmeceutical is any over-the-counter skin treatment that is not considered a cosmetic or pharmaceutical, but a largely unregulated hybrid of the two. Put another way, it’s a cosmetic product claiming to have medicinal or druglike benefits. In 2006, it was estimated that that U.S. sales of skin-care cosmeceuticals had reached $6.4 billion annually, and those sales continue to grow.
From The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Less Stress, Gorgeous Skin, and a Whole New You by Amy Wechsler.
Cosmeceuticals
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RealAge answeredSee All 2 Answers -
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Dr. Ellen S. Marmur, MD , Dermatology, answeredTo fight the signs of the aging process, cosmeceuticals try to prevent more degradation from happening or encourage and stimulate the senescent skin factory in the dermis to get moving. Antioxidants quench toxic free radicals, stopping them from wreaking havoc and causing inflammation, DNA mutations, and collagen destruction.
Other cosmeceutical components - peptides, retinol, and growth factors, among others - are supposed to do things such as fire up collagen production, stop its destruction, slow down the aging process of skin cells, firm the skin, and increase hydration in the extracellular matrix of the dermis.
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Dr. Ellen S. Marmur, MD , Dermatology, answeredSee All 3 Answers
Dr. Albert Kligman - the man who discovered topical retinoic acid as a treatment for acne and then wrinkles - coined the term in 1980. The word itself combines "cosmetic" and "pharmaceutical," although there's no medication to be found in the products. A cosmeceutical is a hybrid of a beauty product and an active ingredient (or a few) that may have an effect on the skin. That active element - whether it is a peptide, an antioxidant, or a growth factor - is not a drug, something the Food and Drug Administration considers to be anything that "affects the structure or function of the body." Only drugs are regulated (and must undergo documented clinical testing), and if they are included in a product (such as sunscreens or deodorants, for example), the label must clearly list them as active ingredients above the cosmetic ones.
As defined by the FDA, cosmetics are "articles applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness or altering the appearance," and they comply with only the most liberal of guidelines. Beauty products (cosmeceuticals fall under this classification) don't have to provide evidence of their efficacy, and they aren't required to undergo approval before they are sold to the public. Legally, cosmetics manufacturers don't even need to prove that their products do what they promise.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSince teens tend to be acne-prone due to hormonal changes that stimulate oil production, they should use cosmetics and skin care products that won't increase their chance of developing or worsening acne. They should look for the word "noncomedogenic" on product labels. It means the product won't clog pores. -
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Dr. Jeannette O. Graf, MD , Dermatology, answeredSee All 2 Answers
Copper peptides for collagen production and anti-aging can be found in skincare products like moisturizers, serums, masks, and some hair products. Watch as I explain how to find products with copper peptides in them. -
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Ben Kaminsky , Dermatology, answeredKojic acid, a by-product from the fermentation of rice, is used for inhibiting melanin production in skin lightening formulations. -
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Ben Kaminsky , Dermatology, answeredIn the body, one of the primary roles of the skin is to act as a barrier to protect muscles, tendons and internal organs and structures from environmental damage and infection. To maintain an optimal barrier function, the skin’s hydration level becomes very important. A primary function of effective cosmeceutical ingredients is to maintain or restore the skin’s optimal hydration level.
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Dr. Doris Day, MD , Dermatology, answeredLipoic acid plays an important role in energy production. It helps a cell generate energy from carbohydrates. It is also an antioxidant in its own right but also helps extend the life of other antioxidants such as C, glutathione and E. The body can make some lipoic acid but cannot make enough to meet increased need during periods of stress or in cases of chronic illness. It is one of the more useful antioxidants since it protects against most types of free radicals, including superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and hydrogen peroxide. It also has many other important functions, such as neutralizing damaging metals, which makes this an ingredient you want to make sure you get enough of in your diet. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 2 AnswersAlpha hydroxy acid is a chemical used in some cosmetics. Products that contain alpha hydroxy acid are marketed for a variety of skin care purposes, such as:
- softening wrinkles
- unclogging pores
- improving skin tone and texture
- eliminating scars
- treating acne