Skin care products have been used for washing and beatification since early civilization. Modern technology and knowledge of natural product chemistry have helped the skin care industry evolve and produce both medical and aesthetic products. In the United States, skin care products that use natural or synthetic ingredients are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Regulation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, classifies skin care products as drugs, cosmetics or combinations of both. In general terms, the FDA regulates products that are designed to treat a disease or alter the function of your skin as drugs. It regulates products that are use to clean or beautify your skin as cosmetics, and products that have both medical and aesthetic purposes as combination products. Regulations for both cosmetics and drugs are outlined in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
Categories
The American Academy of Dermatology, AAD, categorizes products as either skin care products, cosmetics or cosmeceuticals. Skin care products include items such as soap and antiperspirant, while cosmetics include items such as mascara and hair dye. Although the FDA does not recognize the term cosmeceutical, the AAD uses this term to categorize skin products that are claimed to improve your skin's function. Cosmeceuticals are a large market that can be divided into different types of advanced skin care products.
Cosmeceuticals
Common types of cosmeceuticals on the market include hydroxyl acids, retinoids, botanicals and sunscreens. Hydroxy acids and retinoids are both used to shed skin cells quickly to promote younger and smoother looking skin. Botanicals are products or ingredients that come from natural plant sources, such as roots, seeds, fruit, flowers and stems. Most are known for containing therapeutic plant chemicals. Sunscreens are sold alone and added to cosmetics as ingredients. They are preventative products that are designed to block the UV rays that cause skin disease and premature aging.
Ingredients
Natural, chemical and synthetic ingredients are used widely in all categories of skin care products. Natural ingredients from plant, algae, animal and mineral sources have been used in skin care for centuries, while more recent breakthroughs in cosmetic biochemistry have led to valuable synthetic products. Modern technology is now being used by the natural product industry to identify natural ingredients and support traditional skin care claims.
Problems
Not all skin care products provide benefits. Ingredients such as preservatives, dyes and perfumes can cause anything from minor skin irritations to serious allergic reactions in people with sensitivities. Both allergic and irritant contact dermatitis can leave swollen, itchy red patches on your skin. The FDA does not test skin care products. It is up to manufacturing companies to make sure their products are safe and labeled truthfully before they are sold commercially. It is important to read the label before using a skin care product.
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