Cosmeceuticals have undoubtedly taken the personal care industry by storm since the term was first coined in the 1990s despite not being recognized by the FDA and having no meaning under the law. So, in this post, we’ll explore the world of cosmeceuticals, how they work, and their potential benefits, in order to understand the reason why it has become popular these years.
WHAT ARE COSMECEUTICALS?
Cosmeceuticals are a type of topical preparation that bridges the gap between traditional cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. They offer both therapeutic benefits for the skin and aesthetic enhancements that are typical of cosmetic products.
The term “cosmeceuticals” was first coined by Dr. Kligman of the University of Pennsylvania (1), a dermatologist, who described them as “a topical preparation that is sold as a cosmetic but has performance characteristics that suggest pharmaceutical actions.” This means that while they are marketed and sold as cosmetics, they have properties that go beyond superficial enhancements.
For more details about cosmetics and pharmaceuticals/drugs, they were defined by FDA as follows (2):
Cosmetics: “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 alternating the appearance”’.
Drugs: “articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease” and “articles (other than food) intended to affect to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals”
HOW DO COSMECEUTICALS WORK?
To achieve these benefits, cosmeceutical products contain active ingredients with pharmaceutical properties, allowing them to provide more targeted and potent benefits to the skin. Cosmeceuticals work by penetrating the skin’s surface and targeting specific cells or molecules within the skin to optimize their efficiencies. For example, some cosmeceuticals use epigenetic technology to help regulate gene expression in skin cells, which can lead to improved skin health and appearance, detailed example products available in Vietnam market:
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex: Motivated by the ground-breaking revelation in the realm of epigenetics called Chronolux Power Signal Technology, this serum contains ingredients that help regulate gene expression and promote skin repair and renewal overnight.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence: This essence contains Pitera, a yeast extract that helps regulate gene expression and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin. Pitera is known to be rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that help to improve the overall health of the skin. Additionally, studies have shown that Pitera can help to regulate gene expression, which can lead to improved skin texture and tone. Pitera also has antioxidant properties that can protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.
Additionally, some cosmeceuticals contain advanced technologies like stem cells, peptides, and growth factors that help promote cell growth and regeneration, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone. They also contain ingredients that regulate the skin’s natural processes, such as sebum production and melanin synthesis, making them helpful for people with oily and acne-prone skin and those with uneven skin tone. Here are some detailed examples of products available in Vietnam market:
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum: This serum contains antioxidants, vitamin C, and peptides that help protect the skin from environmental damage and improve its overall texture and tone.
Mesoestetic Stem Cell Active Growth Factor from Mesoestetic: This serum contains stem cells and growth factors that help promote cell growth and regeneration, and improve the overall health and appearance of the skin.
One of the most important things is that all active ingredients found in cosmeceuticals have been clinically proven or undergo rigorous testing and clinical trials to demonstrate their safety and efficiency, just like pharmaceutical drugs. This means that they can be more expensive than traditional cosmetics, but they may also provide more significant and longer-lasting results.
BENEFITS OF COSMECEUTICALS
Cosmeceuticals have vast benefits and they can be tailored to address a wide range of skin concerns or other skincare treatments, from aging and acne to hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone to enhance and prolong their benefits.
Cosmeceuticals have three benefits as follows:
Enhance efficiency: Cosmeceuticals can provide enhanced efficacy compared to traditional cosmetics due to the use of active pharmaceutical ingredients. These ingredients are designed using cutting-edge technology and a deep understanding of biological active mechanisms, resulting in potent and targeted benefits for the skin.
Customize Formulations: Cosmeceuticals are customized to address specific skin concerns, such as wrinkles, pigmentation, or acne. This customization allows tailored solutions to individual skincare needs, resulting in more effective and personalized results.
Minimal side effects: cosmeceuticals have been extensively tested in both clinical and non-clinical settings to fully understand how they work and their potential side effects. As a result, they have been shown to have minimal side effects, making them a safer and more accessible option for a wide range of people seeking to improve their skin health.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COSMECEUTICALS?
Here I would mention several criteria to choose the right cosmeceuticals for your skin.
Skin type: understanding your skin type and specific concerns is important to find a product that targets your specific issues. This can be determined by consulting with a skincare professional or doing your own research.
Ingredients: it's important to carefully research the active ingredients in the cosmeceuticals you're considering. Look for ingredients that have been scientifically proven to be effective for your specific concerns, and ensure that the concentration of those ingredients is appropriate for your skin type.
Quality: choosing high-quality products from reliable brands is another factor. Look for companies that prioritize quality and safety in their manufacturing processes, and seek out products that have undergone rigorous testing and clinical trials.
Cosmeceuticals offer a unique approach to skincare that combines the best of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. By using these products, we can achieve not only a more youthful and radiant appearance but also address specific skin concerns and improve our overall skin health. When choosing a cosmeceutical product, it's important to do your research, consider your skin type and specific concerns, and choose high-quality products from reliable brands.
Chloe.
References:
https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/it-cosmetic-drug-or-both-or-it-soap#Definedrug
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