Cosmeceuticals Are Natural Products Used In a Skincare Routine to Keep the Skin Healthy Without Applying Chemical Products to It

Cosmeceuticals are all-natural cosmetic products containing bioactive compounds, used mainly in regions such as Japan and South Korea. Often claimed to have multiple medical benefits, which are applied topically to the skin. There are currently no federal regulations to show that these products live up to this claim. The term is also a portmanteau for "pharmaceuticals" and "cosmeceuticals". The main difference between cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals is that cosmeceuticals aren't intended to treat or cure a disease or condition, while pharmaceuticals are.

As of late, cosmetic companies have been producing a greater variety of cosmeceuticals that target problems like wrinkles, fine lines, and sun damage. Many of these companies are also now making "whole body" skincare products. These are skincare products intended to treat not only specific areas of the skin, such as the face and body but also include a variety of solutions for eliminating signs of aging throughout the entire body. Cosmeceuticals are mainly very widely used in Asian countries such as Japan. In 2020, Dr. Suzanne Friedler, FAAD, stated that recently rice flour has gained immense importance as cosmeceuticals in Japan, as a natural agent to treat damaged skin.

Some of the most common ingredients in cosmeceuticals include vitamin C and antioxidants. Vitamin C is known for its ability to neutralize the effects of oxygen on collagen. This is an ingredient that is especially important to people who are looking to restore their youthful appearance and reduce fine lines and wrinkles on their skin. Common antioxidant ingredients include vitamin A, vitamin C, beta carotene, and other types of natural antioxidants.

The ingredients used in cosmeceuticals differ from cosmetics in one significant way. Cosmeceuticals cannot be considered a drug since they are not intended to provide health benefits. Cosmeceuticals, instead, are used to address specific skin issues by adding moisture, repairing dryness, and boosting the appearance of elasticity. This is different than traditional skin care products that use chemical agents and other unnatural ingredients to achieve certain results.