Cosmeceuticals are the new wave in skin care. They are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the health and beauty of the skin. Skin is the largest organ in the body, both by weight and surface area. In adults, the weight of your skin accounts for about 16% of your total body weight. The skin separates the internal environment from the external. It is essential to protect and preserve the skin for your own personal health and self esteem.
Cosmetic skin care products only serve to cleanse and beautify. As opposed to cosmetics, cosmeceuticals will alter the structure and function of the skin. Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients and the science behind why they work.
Centella Asiatica is a botanical agent, which increases collagen production by inducing its precursor enzyme. This ingredient has a shelf life of 6 months, which is why you will not find it in stores. This amazing material reduces the appearance of stretch marks and is currently being researched for its effects on varicose veins.
The FDA recognizes Salicyclic Acid as a proven anti-bacterial destroying agent.
Retinol is a vitamin A treatment, which accelerates the skin cells natural exfoliation process and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Glycolic Acid is a natural fruit acid, which accelerates the skins cellular turnover. It improves circulation and produces vibrant, smoother, younger-looking skin.
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful anti-oxidant proven to shrink pores, reduce under eye puffiness, and erase fine lines and wrinkles, while improving circulation and brightening your overall complexion.
DMAE is a natural substance that stabilizes and strengthens the cell's plasma membrane. Dramatically tightens, firms, and tones the neck, eyelids, and facial muscles, resulting in a lean, toned, and youthful look.
Sodium Hyaluronate is a protein that functions as a lubricant between the connective tissues of the skin, allowing the retention of skins natural moisture, leaving the skin soft, supple and silky smooth.
Other ingredients include Dimethicone Copolyol Meadowfomate, which is an anti-irritant, retinyl palminate an anti-wrinkles agent, and actifirm, a skin-firming agent.
Types of Products:
Wrinkle reduction, skin lightening/darkening, collagen enhancement, cellulite reduction, skin irritation alleviation, anti-oxidant protection/treatment, and many other target areas are all addressed by an increasing array of cosmeceutical products. One could even classify moisturizers, toners, and natural ingredients that protect from the sun, but do not make sunscreen claims, as part of this category. Botanicals that have not been over- processed as well as naturally derived organic minerals, numbering several hundred at present, are most often the active ingredients in cosmeceutical products, and an increasing number of such ingredients are tested and marketed every day.
All of these products tend to be relatively “high-end,” housed in small containers that command high price points and desirable profit levels. Consumers can find products of this nature across a wide variety of channels, including spas; natural foods stores; prestige and other specialty outlets; the mass market; and the higher profit direct channels such as the Internet, television commercials and infomercials, direct mail, print advertising, and multi-level. This bodes well for strategic marketers, as they are able to reach more and more customers with essentially the same message using many different mediums across a variety of channels. In addition, these products “officially” fall under the less-regulated, non-therapeutic “cosmetic” category, and are therefore less expensive to research and develop than those in the OTC/drug category. The main point of differentiation herein is the nature of claims that are made.
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