cosmeceuticals
Medicated beauty products
Cosmeceuticals are products that blur the line between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals—skincare items claiming to have biologically active ingredients that affect the skin's structure or function.
Unlike ordinary moisturizers, cosmeceuticals contain compounds like retinoids, peptides, or antioxidants marketed as having therapeutic effects: The dermatologist recommended cosmeceuticals with vitamin C for sun damage.
The term has no regulatory definition, sitting in a gray zone between beauty products and drugs.
Blood's watery portion
- retinolTopical anti-aging compound
- moisturizerHydrating skin cream
- cleanserSubstance for removing grime
- tonerImaging powder or facial astringent
sunscreen · collagen · hyaluronic · glycolic · niacinamide · peptides · antioxidants · vitamins
Counteracting effects of time
- hyperpigmentationLocalized skin darkening condition
- rosaceaFacial redness disorder
- melasmaPatchy facial skin darkening
- photodamageTissue harm from light
fine lines · dark spots · texture · scarring · sensitivity · sun damage · prevention · correction
Bonded amino acid sequences
- retinoidsVitamin A derivatives
- antioxidantsSubstances counteracting oxidative damage
- hyaluronic acidMoisture-retaining tissue sugar
- vitamin CEssential water-soluble antioxidant
niacinamide · glycolic acid · salicylic acid · ceramides · collagen · growth factors · enzymes · amino acids
Devised mixture or expression
- biotechnologyEngineering using living systems
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
- bioactiveAffecting living tissue
transdermal · nanotechnology · research · efficacy · pharmacology · bioavailability · encapsulation · liposomes
Commercial product names
- prescriptionMedical dispensing authorization
- over-the-counterBuyable without medical authorization
- medical-gradeSuitable for healthcare settings
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
spa · aesthetician · marketing · claims · luxury · premium · pharmacy · retail
serum
Blood's watery portion
- retinolTopical anti-aging compound
- moisturizerHydrating skin cream
- cleanserSubstance for removing grime
toner · sunscreen · collagen · hyaluronic · glycolic · niacinamide · peptides · antioxidants · vitamins · exfoliation
anti-aging
Counteracting effects of time
- hyperpigmentationLocalized skin darkening condition
- rosaceaFacial redness disorder
- melasmaPatchy facial skin darkening
photodamage · fine lines · dark spots · texture · scarring · sensitivity · sun damage · prevention · correction · maintenance
peptides
Bonded amino acid sequences
- retinoidsVitamin A derivatives
- antioxidantsSubstances counteracting oxidative damage
- hyaluronic acidMoisture-retaining tissue sugar
vitamin C · niacinamide · glycolic acid · salicylic acid · ceramides · collagen · growth factors · enzymes · amino acids · alpha hydroxy acids
formulation
Devised mixture or expression
- biotechnologyEngineering using living systems
- clinical trialsControlled health research experiments
- dermatologyStudy of skin ailments
bioactive · transdermal · nanotechnology · research · efficacy · pharmacology · bioavailability · encapsulation · liposomes · patent
brands
Commercial product names
- prescriptionMedical dispensing authorization
- over-the-counterBuyable without medical authorization
- medical-gradeSuitable for healthcare settings
professional · spa · aesthetician · marketing · claims · luxury · premium · pharmacy · retail · direct-to-consumer
cosmeceuticalspharmaceuticals
Manufactured therapeutic substances
prescription drugs · over-the-counter drugs · prescription medications · therapeutic drugs · medical devices
cosmeceuticalsnatural remedies
Non-pharmaceutical healing approaches
folk remedies · home remedies · herbal treatments · organic skincare · essential oils