Cosmeceuticals-A new Approach to Pharma Industries

What is Cosmeceutical?

Cosmeceuticals mean a combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products with biologically active ingredients to have medical or drug-like benefits. Interestingly, there are no sharp dividing lines between these two categories, and many preparations are classified as cosmeceutical “hybrids,” which means they share the properties of both cosmetics and drugs.

Cosmeceuticals are meant to improve appearance by delivering nutrients necessary for healthy skin. Cosmeceuticals usually claim to reduce wrinkles and to improve the tone, texture, and radiance of the skin.

Most cosmeceuticals are sold over the counter and contain ingredients like retinol, growth factors, alpha hydroxy and peptides. These active ingredients have known physiologic effects and improve the appearance of aging skin over time.

Cosmetics VS Cosmeceuticals

Cosmetics: 

Cosmetics are products that are used to cleanse and beautify the skin.

Pharmaceuticals: 

Pharmaceuticals are essentially drug products and are defined as products that prevent, mitigate, treat or cure disease.

Cosmeceuticals: 

Cosmeceuticals are intended to enhance beauty through ingredients that provide additional health-related functions or benefits. They are applied topically as cosmetics.

Cosmetics: 

It keeps the areas on which it is applied in good condition & also protects, cleans, perfumes, and changes their appearance without modifying them. Cosmetics products are applied to the outer surface of the human body and can not pass through the dermal-epidermal junction, which is the area between the epidermis and the dermis.

Cosmeceuticals: 

due to its composition, cosmeceutical products are not classifiable as a drug.

In cosmeceutical products, the active content are able to pass through the epidermis and act deep within the dermis.

Cosmeceuticals Classification

Figure - 1. Cosmeceutical Classification

Retinoids: 

Retinoids are natural & synthetic derivatives of vitamin A. Retinoids function through surface-cell receptor interaction to produce clinically defined effects.

Sunscreens: 

Sunscreens are regarded by dermatologists as the single most important formulation that should be applied daily. Sunscreen protects from UV radiation.

Moisturizers: 

are most useful products for the management of various skin conditions (e.g. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and aging of skin). The majority of moisturizers enhance skin barrier function. It makes the skin smoother, softer, more radiant, less wrinkled, and firmer.

Antioxidants: 

Enhance the skin’s natural antioxidant protection system with topical application. They reduce free radical damage by blocking the oxidative process in cells. These are used to protect the skin from photodamage and photoaging. It inhibits inflammation that causes collagen depletion. Some antioxidants include Vitamin A, C, and E, alpha lipoic acid and lactobionic acid.

Hydroxyacids: 

These include glycolic acid, lactic acid and salicylic acid. Hydroxyacids increase the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans, which improves the quality of elastic fibers and increase the density of collagen.

Depigmentation: 

Hydroquinone, aloesin, arbutin, azelaic acid, glycolic acid. Hydroquinone is effective and widely used for the treatment of melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It acts by inhibiting the conversion of tyrosine to melamine.

Protein and Peptides: 

It improves the appearance of aging skin. Cosmeceutical peptides triggered a wound healing mechanism that activates fibroblasts. Peptides increase collagen production to improve skin appearance, resulting in smoother skin.

Growth Factors: 

It stimulates epidermal growth and is used in the treatment of burns and excision wounds. It also the mediator of fibrosis and angiogenesis (development of new blood cells) and promotes the healing of wounds.

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What is Modern Herbal Cosmeceuticals ???

The use of herbal cosmeceuticals is not a new concept.

Recently herbal cosmeceuticals have gained much recognition and become popular among people.  Cosmeceuticals active ingredients are used by small and large manufacturers engaged in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and natural extracts in cosmetic formulations.

A wide range of plant extracts used in skin cosmetics and toiletry preparations as cosmeceuticals are described in the below table.

Figure - 2. Plant Extract used in Modern Herbal Cosmeceuticals

Why cosmeceuticals instead of cosmetics?

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup. Towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and gels, deodorants, hand sanitizer, baby products, bath oils, bubble baths, bath salts, butter and many other types of products. A subset of cosmetics is called "make-up" which refers mainly to colored products intended to change the user‘s appearance.

Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products with biologically active ingredients, that have medical or drug-like benefits. A cosmeceutical is an ingredient with medicinal properties that manifests beneficial topical actions and provides protection against degenerative skin conditions. It encompasses cosmetic actives with therapeutic, disease-fighting, or healing properties, thereby serving as a bridge between personal care products and pharmaceuticals.

Cosmeceuticals are the development made within the world of dermatological products and the new beckon in skincare. Cosmeceuticals are topical cosmetic pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. 

List of cosmeceutical products

ACNE TREATMENT LOTION:

Ingredients Used:

Camphor, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Eucalyptus Oil, Isopropyl Alcohol, Peppermint Oil, Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Triclosan, and Xanthan Gum.

Indicated for:

Repairs acne and damaged skin.

Visibly reduce sign of acne and scar.

Constantly treats all stages of acne.

Helps to heal breakouts.

ALOE VERA OIL-FREE MOISTURE CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Water 87%, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyethylene Glycol-60, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf juice powder, Arginine, Carbomer, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Ethyl Hexandiol.

Indicated for:

Fills the skin with intense moisture, thus helping to calm the skin, and as well creating a moisture barrier. 

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DIAPER RASH CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Zinc Oxide, Vitamin A, Vitamin D & Aloe Vera Extract, Dimethicone, Coconut Oil, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Sorbitol and Demineral Water.

Indicated for:

Prevents & Treat Diaper Rashes, Nappy Rashes.

Soothes Red Irritated Skin, Itchy rash on the skin.

Treat Inflammatory conditions of skin

ALOE VERA + VITAMIN E CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Aloe Vera Extract, Vitamin E, Glycerin, Olive Oil, Polyethylene Glycol and Demineral Water.

Indicated for:

Soothes Dry Flaky Skin.

Ideal for cracked skin of Hands, Knees and Elbows.

Treating Seborrhoeic Dermatitis.

CALAMINE WITH ALOE VERA + LIQUID PARAFFIN:

Ingredients Used:

Calamine, Aloe Vera Gel, Light Liquid Paraffin, white soft paraffin, Stearic acid, Glycerin, Cetosteryl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, DM Water.

Indicated for:

For Dry Itchy Skin.

Relief from Sunburn, Skin Rashes, Insect bites & Stings.

Effective in Chicken Pox, Herpes Simplex.

VITAMIN-E CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Light Liquid Paraffin, White Soft Paraffin, Vitamin E, Cetosteyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Phenoxy Ethanol, Flavor, DM Water.

Indicated for:

Moisturizes & Protects dry, cracked skin.

Nourishes & Soothes skin.

Prevents moisture loss.

SALICYLIC ACID GEL:

Ingredients Used:

Cetosteyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Emulsifying Wax, Polyethylene Glycol Ether, Salicylic Acid, DM Water.

Indicated for:

For Treatment of Acne vulgaris.

Prevents Pimples.

Reduces Swelling.

Unplugged blocked skin pores.

ALOE VERA AQUEOUS CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Light Liquid Paraffin, White Soft Paraffin, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Aloe Vera Extract, Aloe Vera Flavor, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, Phenoxyethanol, DM Water.

Indicated for:

For Treatment of Acne vulgaris.

Prevents Pimples.

Reduces Swelling.

Unplugged blocked skin pores.

ZINC & CASTOR OIL CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Cold Pressed castor oil, Coconut oil, Beeswax, Zinc Oxide & Vitamin E.

Indicated for:

Protects and softens the skin against unwanted moisture.

Ideal for nappy rashes.

Heal & soothes irritated skin.

ALOE VERA SKIN CREAM:

Ingredients Used:

Aloe vera extract, Light liquid paraffin, White soft paraffin, Propylene Glycol, Stearic acid, Cetosteryl alcohol, Cyclomethicone, Glyceryl, and Polymethacrylate.

Indicated for:

Repairs acne & damaged skin.

Visibly reduce sign for acne & scar.

Helps to heal breakouts.

VITAMIN-E SKIN OIL:

Ingredients Used:

Light liquid paraffin, White soft paraffin, Vitamin–E, Stearic acid, Cetosteryl alcohol, Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe vera flavor, DM water.

Indicated for:

Softening & moisturizing dry, rough skin.

Especially recommended during pregnancy and post-pregnancy of dietary stretch marks.

An ideal facial massage oil before bedtime to protect skin from aging.

ANALGESIC ICE GEL:

Ingredients Used:

Menthol 2% w/w Gel base. Carbomer-940, Sodium methyl paraben, Sodium propyl paraben, DM water.

Indicated for:

Muscle Pain

Sports Injuries

Arthritis

Are cosmeceutical products Better?

Cosmetics change the appearance of the skin, and cosmeceuticals its function. Cosmetics can make skin look good (smoother, brighter) but only for a while. Cosmeceuticals can actually affect the way skin cells work. They do things like reduce hyperpigmentation or wrinkles.

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