Definition of Cosmetics
As per the Indian Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945,
“Cosmetic” means any article intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, or introduced into, or otherwise art thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance, and includes any article intended for use as a component of cosmetic.
As per European Union (EU) regulations
“Cosmetic product” means any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips, and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, protecting them, keeping them in good condition or correcting body odors.
Classification of cosmetics
- Baby products: Baby shampoos, lotions, oils, powders, and creams; other baby products
- Bath preparations: Bath capsules, bath oils, tablets, and salts; bubble baths; other bath preparations
- Eye makeup preparations: Eyebrow pencil; eye shadow; eyeliner; mascara; eye lotion; eye makeup remover; other eye makeup preparations
- Fragrance preparations: sachets; perfumes; powders (dusting and talcum, excluding after-shave talc); other fragrance preparations
- Hair preparations (Non-coloring): Hair conditioners; shampoos (non-coloring); hair sprays (aerosol fixatives); tonics, dressings, and other hair grooming; hair straighteners aids; rinses (non-coloring); other hair preparations
- Hair coloring preparations: Hair bleaches; hair dyes and colors; hair lighteners with color hair tints; hair rinses (coloring); hair shampoos (coloring); hair color sprays (aerosol); other hair coloring preparations
- Makeup preparations (Not Eye): Makeup bases; face powders; makeup fixatives; foundations; rouges; leg and body paints; lipstick; other makeup preparations
- Manicuring preparations: Basecoats and undercoats; nail polish and enamel; cuticle softeners; nail polish and enamel removers; nail creams and lotions; nail extenders; other manicuring preparations.
- Oral hygiene products: Dentifrices (aerosols, liquids, pastes, and powders); mouthwashes and breath fresheners (liquids and sprays); other oral hygiene products
- Personal cleanliness: Bath soaps and detergents; feminine hygiene deodorants; deodorants (underarm); other personal cleanliness products; douches
- Shaving preparations: Aftershave lotions; shaving cream (aerosol, brushless, and beard softeners lather) products; shaving soap (e.g., cakes, sticks); pre-shave lotions (all types); other shaving preparations
- Skincare preparations (creams, lotions, powders, and sprays): Body and hand (excluding shaving preparations); foot powders and sprays; night cleansing (cold creams, cleansing lotions, liquids); skin fresheners; depilatories; paste masks (mud packs); face and neck (excluding shaving preparations);
- Suntan preparations: Indoor tanning preparations; suntan gels, creams, and liquids; other suntan preparations.
Classification of cosmeceutical products
Based on their function
- Skin-whitening and/or depigmenting cosmeceuticals
- Moisturizing cosmeceuticals
- Anti-wrinkle cosmeceuticals
- Sunscreen cosmeceuticals
- Anti photo-aging cosmeceuticals
Based on various products presently in the market
- Cosmeceuticals containing antioxidants
- Cosmeceuticals containing peptides
- Cosmeceuticals containing metals
- Cosmeceuticals containing anti-inflammatories.
- Cosmeceuticals containing polysaccharides
International scenario of cosmeceuticals
- Cosmeceutical is not a legal term nor is it acknowledged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDC Act) categorizes products as cosmetics or drugs according to their intended use.
- The term cosmeceutical enables us to classify more precisely a product with an activity that is intended to treat or prevent a mild skin abnormality.
- In order to avoid any confusion with cosmetic definition, cosmeceuticals are regarded as a subclass within the domain of a cosmetic or drug.
- Cosmeceuticals can be regarded as a subclass of cosmetics in Europe and Japan, however, in the United States, regarded as a subclass of drugs.
Cosmeceuticals characterized as
- The product has pharmaceutical activity and can be used on normal or near-normal skin.
- The product should have a defined benefit for minor skin disorders (cosmetic indication).
- As the skin disorder is mild the product should have a very low-risk profile.
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