Contents
BASIC DEFINITIONS
Cosmetics deals with those aspects of the skin related to beauty. This profession concentrates
on skin care, protecting the skin, and improving its appearance. The word “cosmetic” is derived
from the Greek kosmesis (adorning), from kosmeo (to order or arrange).
A cosmetician is a person engaged in the field of cosmetics, whose work is directed toward
the care, protection, and improvement in the appearance of the skin.
Dermatology refers to the medical specialty of diagnosing and treating diseases of the
skin, hair, and nails.
A dermatologist is a physician specializing in the various aspects of skin disease.
The term cosmetology is relatively vague and cannot always be found in dictionaries. It
refers to the scientific and investigative basis of cosmetics, with its biological, chemical, and
medical ramifications.
The term cosmetologist is derived from the term “cosmetology.” In its broad meaning,
it refers to someone who specializes in the investigative aspects of cosmetics: he/she can be a
chemist, a biologist, or a physician. However, this definition varies from one country to another.
In some countries, such as the United States, it is a formal title subjected to the regulations of
each individual state. To become a cosmetologist, one has to graduate from a school of cosmetics.
In other countries, however, there is no recognized medical/professional specialty of
cosmetology so, in practice, the title of “cosmetologist” may be used by anyone who decides to
call himself/herself as such.
DEFINITION OF A COSMETIC PRODUCT
The U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FDC) Act defines cosmetics as:
(1) Articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, introduced into, or
otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying,
promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance; and
(2) Articles intended for use as a component of any such articles except that such a term
shall not include soap.
There is a significant difference between cosmetic products and drugs (including drugs
intended for application to the skin), which the reader should be familiar with. Drugs are defined
in the FDC Act as including:
articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease
in man . . . articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the
body of man.
It follows from the above that a cosmetic product (not being a drug) is not meant to affect
the structure or function of the skin. However, nowadays this strict definition is becoming more
and more blurred.
CLASSIFICATION OF COSMETIC PREPARATIONS
Cosmetic preparations are classified in accordance with their function:
those that improve appearance and beautify those related to skin care those related to skin protection
Improving Appearance and Beautifying
The aim of beautifying products is to impart a pleasant and attractive appearance by emphasizing
those areas of the face or body that look better, in order to focus the observer’s gaze on them. At
the same time, an attempt is made to camouflage less attractive areas and correct skin lesions,
if necessary. This category of cosmetic products includes various makeups, hair dyes, and nail
polishes, etc.
Skin Care
Cosmetics are used to obtain and retain a smooth, soft and supple skin. Moisturizing and cleansing
preparations belong to this category. Some have a protective effect.
Skin Protection
The aim of protective products is to shield the skin from the external effects of the sun, wind,
cold, etc. Sunscreen preparations belong to this category. Moisturizers also have a protective
effect on the skin. Soaps that contain antibacterial substances are also included in this category,
since they do provide a certain degree of antibacterial protection to the skin.
THE GRAY AREA BETWEEN A DRUG AND A COSMETIC PRODUCT
In the past, the division between cosmetic products and drugs was clear cut. Nearly all cosmetics
were no more (and did not usually claim to be anything other) than simple moisturizing,
cleansing, or coloring products.
Currently, the boundary between drugs and cosmetic products for skin care is becoming
blurred. Many cosmetic products are marketed with statements such as:
“Accelerates the renewal of cells” “Builds up supportive tissue in the skin” “Repairs sun damage to the skin” “Repairs skin aging”
All of the above effects can only be achieved by drugs, since they relate to changes in the
function and structure of the tissue.
Sometimes the difference between a cosmetic product and a drug lies in the concentration
of the active ingredient in the product. For example, in low concentrations, -hydroxy acids
function essentially as moisturizing agents; it is only in higher concentrations that they have
any significant effect on the epidermis.
Not only the border between cosmetic products and drugs is hazy but there is also a gray
area between cosmetic treatments and dermatology. A cosmetician’s treatment can alter the
structure and function of the skin—for example, in the treatment of acne, or in the application
of permanent makeup, etc. Therefore, some modern cosmetic products lie in an increasingly
gray area and can almost be defined as medications. This fact confers a serious responsibility
on those involved in cosmetic treatment, requiring them to have a fairly deep knowledge
of the subject, and to exercise careful judgement when using the cosmetic products at their
disposal.
- Basic definitions Definition of a cosmetic product
- Classification of cosmetic preparations
- The gray area between a drug and a cosmetic product
BASIC DEFINITIONS
Cosmetics deals with those aspects of the skin related to beauty. This profession concentrates
on skin care, protecting the skin, and improving its appearance. The word “cosmetic” is derived
from the Greek kosmesis (adorning), from kosmeo (to order or arrange).
A cosmetician is a person engaged in the field of cosmetics, whose work is directed toward
the care, protection, and improvement in the appearance of the skin.
Dermatology refers to the medical specialty of diagnosing and treating diseases of the
skin, hair, and nails.
A dermatologist is a physician specializing in the various aspects of skin disease.
The term cosmetology is relatively vague and cannot always be found in dictionaries. It
refers to the scientific and investigative basis of cosmetics, with its biological, chemical, and
medical ramifications.
The term cosmetologist is derived from the term “cosmetology.” In its broad meaning,
it refers to someone who specializes in the investigative aspects of cosmetics: he/she can be a
chemist, a biologist, or a physician. However, this definition varies from one country to another.
In some countries, such as the United States, it is a formal title subjected to the regulations of
each individual state. To become a cosmetologist, one has to graduate from a school of cosmetics.
In other countries, however, there is no recognized medical/professional specialty of
cosmetology so, in practice, the title of “cosmetologist” may be used by anyone who decides to
call himself/herself as such.
DEFINITION OF A COSMETIC PRODUCT
The U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic (FDC) Act defines cosmetics as:
(1) Articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled or sprayed on, introduced into, or
otherwise applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying,
promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance; and
(2) Articles intended for use as a component of any such articles except that such a term
shall not include soap.
There is a significant difference between cosmetic products and drugs (including drugs
intended for application to the skin), which the reader should be familiar with. Drugs are defined
in the FDC Act as including:
articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease
in man . . . articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the
body of man.
It follows from the above that a cosmetic product (not being a drug) is not meant to affect
the structure or function of the skin. However, nowadays this strict definition is becoming more
and more blurred.
CLASSIFICATION OF COSMETIC PREPARATIONS
Cosmetic preparations are classified in accordance with their function:
those that improve appearance and beautify those related to skin care those related to skin protection
Improving Appearance and Beautifying
The aim of beautifying products is to impart a pleasant and attractive appearance by emphasizing
those areas of the face or body that look better, in order to focus the observer’s gaze on them. At
the same time, an attempt is made to camouflage less attractive areas and correct skin lesions,
if necessary. This category of cosmetic products includes various makeups, hair dyes, and nail
polishes, etc.
Skin Care
Cosmetics are used to obtain and retain a smooth, soft and supple skin. Moisturizing and cleansing
preparations belong to this category. Some have a protective effect.
Skin Protection
The aim of protective products is to shield the skin from the external effects of the sun, wind,
cold, etc. Sunscreen preparations belong to this category. Moisturizers also have a protective
effect on the skin. Soaps that contain antibacterial substances are also included in this category,
since they do provide a certain degree of antibacterial protection to the skin.
THE GRAY AREA BETWEEN A DRUG AND A COSMETIC PRODUCT
In the past, the division between cosmetic products and drugs was clear cut. Nearly all cosmetics
were no more (and did not usually claim to be anything other) than simple moisturizing,
cleansing, or coloring products.
Currently, the boundary between drugs and cosmetic products for skin care is becoming
blurred. Many cosmetic products are marketed with statements such as:
“Accelerates the renewal of cells” “Builds up supportive tissue in the skin” “Repairs sun damage to the skin” “Repairs skin aging”
All of the above effects can only be achieved by drugs, since they relate to changes in the
function and structure of the tissue.
Sometimes the difference between a cosmetic product and a drug lies in the concentration
of the active ingredient in the product. For example, in low concentrations, -hydroxy acids
function essentially as moisturizing agents; it is only in higher concentrations that they have
any significant effect on the epidermis.
Not only the border between cosmetic products and drugs is hazy but there is also a gray
area between cosmetic treatments and dermatology. A cosmetician’s treatment can alter the
structure and function of the skin—for example, in the treatment of acne, or in the application
of permanent makeup, etc. Therefore, some modern cosmetic products lie in an increasingly
gray area and can almost be defined as medications. This fact confers a serious responsibility
on those involved in cosmetic treatment, requiring them to have a fairly deep knowledge
of the subject, and to exercise careful judgement when using the cosmetic products at their
disposal.
