Cosmeceuticals

Cosmeceuticals

If you have kept up with the latest trends in the cosmetics industry, you have no doubt come across the term cosmeceutical or nutracosmetics. These terms are hybrid terms used to describe the merger between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The term is used primarily in the cosmetics industry for marketing purposes and purports that a cosmeceutical, such as an anti-ageing product, has drug qualities that are capable of giving a more youthful appearance to the skin because of the combination of ingredients. These types of products are usually applied topically to the skin surface in the form of creams and lotions, or more recently in the form of tablets like the new anti-wrinkle-pills.

With a large segment of the population entering later years of life, such as the baby boomers, anti-ageing products are becoming quite popular. With so many on the market how to you know you are getting the benefits the product claims? Or, are these cosmeceuticals fact or fiction? It will take a fair amount of research as well as trial and error to find out. Some products you find on the market will be somewhat effective in reducing fine lines and wrinkles, while others will be more effective depending on the ingredients they contain.

Most companies run their own independent laboratory tests but these tests may not be in compliance with government regulations, and may be used strictly for marketing purposes. Overall, a company who markets cosmeceuticals cannot make any claims that the drugs in their product will penetrate below the skin’s surface.

When you do find a cosmeceutical that you would like to try, whether it is for anti-ageing or moisturising purposes, seek the advice of a dermatologist before you use the product. Sometimes the product will contain herbal remedies that may cause allergic reactions in the skin. However, most products on the market have been dermatologist recommended for various skin types. Make sure that you read the label carefully to ensure that it is safe to use on your skin.

With all the hype about anti-ageing products, whether ingested or applied to the skin, it can be confusing and difficult for a consumer to decide which product will meet their needs. The anti-ageing market is a huge market these days and will only continue to grow as people age and have concerns about their skin and appearance. There really is no way to determine if a product will be effective on your skin unless you try it. There are measures you can take to determine if the product is worth the money you spend on it.
One method is to search online for cosmeceuticals and research the various companies that offer them. When you find a product and company, read the information given and try to find reviews of the product as well as testimonials and comments from other users. Often, you can make a better decision on buying a product based on reviews and actual testimonials of real users. You can search the Internet for reviews of specific products and even find websites that are dedicated to providing the top 5 or 10 cosmeceutical products with relevant information about the product and its uses.

It will take some due diligence to find the right product for you. There are numerous cosmetics companies online where you can find product information and even order the product right online and have it delivered to you.

Link
Wikipedia search page for cosmeceuticals - here