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Understanding Cosmeceuticals a Little Better

Writer's picture: FloraisonFloraison

Updated: Dec 2, 2020



Beautify & Repair at The Same Time: Sounds Too Good to be True?


Cosmeceuticals – a word that has gone past the buzz phase and has become quite the norm making the jargon rounds in the world of cosmetics and medicine. But, what exactly does it mean? The word ‘cosmeceutical’ was coined by professor Albert Kligman in the late 1970s. It is a word that is used to describe a product that holds both cosmetic and medical properties to it – such as in the case of a facial mask made from highly medicinal plants and the like thereof. This type of ‘medicinal’ cosmetic, albeit usually compared to ‘purely-cosmetic’ products, apparently packs quite a punch as compared to cosmetic products without medicinal properties in them – which is what differentiates ‘normal cosmetics’ to ‘cosmeceuticals’.



An Emerging Trend... To Stay


At first glance – cosmeceutical might ‘sound’ like a mixture between cosmetics and pills. This is in-fact an emerging trend. More and more beauty brands are creating cosmeceuticals, that aren’t in

the form of gel, lotion or cream but that target and resolve skin related issues. Pills that work on skin or that are taken during/after dermatological procedures - these are classified as cosmeceutical.


Although prescription drugs and products such as pills and ointments are neither glamorous nor opulent – cosmetics that have medicinal properties to them are considered as such due to their dual benefits (beautifying and healing at the same time) and usually, the brand positioning measures taken by the cosmetic and/or medicinal brands behind them. The ‘branding’ of cosmeceuticals is usually overwhelmingly minimal – in the sense that most of the graphics used in the advertising, promotion and packaging of these is not very colourful and lively – this is to portray the nature of pharmaceuticals in general - a serious issue. Contrary to ‘mainstream cosmetics’, cosmeceuticals are often backed by years of research, testing and have been proven to resolve skin-related issues as would actual pharmaceuticals resolve an actual, physical problem.


...Not a One Hit Wonder


All in all, the ten-step skincare routine buzz is slowly fading away and being eclipsed by multi-use skincare products that make the skin glow all the while healing it. Although this isn’t really an innovation (single products that have more than one use) – the USD 49.5 billion cosmeceutical industry (2018) sure doesn’t seem like an overnight trend.

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