The US Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics by their intended use, as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body-…for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.”
EU defines: A “cosmetic product” shall mean any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odours and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition.
Cosmetics products are formulated from a variety of cosmetic ingredients (single substances or mixtures). Cosmetic ingredients are the raw materials that constitute cosmetics, including skin moisturizers, cleansers, emulsifiers, antioxidants, surfactants, pigments, preservatives, nutritional additives and various other functional types. These ingredients are primarily used in skincare, makeup, hair care, hair styling and dye products, perm products, toothpaste, mouthwash and other cosmetics. They play roles such as shaping, stabilizing, coloring, preserving, regulating pH, providing antioxidant effects, and enhancing fragrance.
The following will explain the role of cosmetic ingredients in products along with some examples.