Dear Editor,
Health is an age-old concept, which is being evolved constantly. Health, when merged with beauty brings out the wellness in human beings. Therefore, the target of cosmetic industry remains merging of beauty inside and beauty outside. Our wellness is determined by factors like pollutants, environment, and drugs that we are exposed to. This concept has been revisited time and again, which led to the birth of the offshoot terms, “cosmeceuticals” and “cosme-neutraceuticals”, essentially derived from the root “cosmetics” (1).
The barrier between cosmetics and cosmeceuticals was drawn in the late 20th century with the invention of formulations involving retinoic acid to treat UV damaged skin. Cosmetics on one hand are governed by the FD and C Act, which defines them as products meant for cleansing, beautifying, and promoting attractiveness. Contrary to that, cosmeceuticals provide pharmaceutical benefits to the skin (2). Cosme-neutraceuticals is the newest class of products adding new dimension in this area aimed at composite application and multiple benefits of cosmetics/cosmeceuticals and neutraceuticals. This has been made feasible by NICE (nervous, immune, cutaneous and endocrine), a neurochemical approach in formulation as well as controlling the efficacy of cosmetic products (3).
A study of trends in the global beauty market has shown us that there is no looking back in the domain of cosmetics. South Asia, South East Asia, and Latin America continue to remain the biggest market and mass production region of cosmetics. With the advent of new technologies, consummation of bulk, and premium products the growth curve of cosmetic industry is ostensibly on escalation (4).
