Cosmetics, What Are They? (Updated)
Welcome to the first post in my Introduction to Cosmetic Formulation series. This post will lay down the foundation (pun intended) for all future posts. This post has been updated on 5/25/23.
Let's dive in!
What are cosmetics?
First, there is also a big misconception about what people think cosmetics are. Many people think that cosmetics are just makeup. And that is not true it is broader than that. It includes skincare, hair care, nail care, nail polish, hair removal, self-tanning, and intimacy products.
In simple terms, it is a product that can be applied to the skin, hair, and nails, improving the appearance. Well, what does this mean? This means that we can't make a product intended to dose, treat, or cure anything. This is because it would be classified as a drug. For a more detailed definition, I went to the FDA website. For people who don't know, it is the Food and Drug Administration for the U.S., the regulatory body for cosmetics in the United States. If you are located in a different part of the world, check cosmetics with your local regularity body. As regulations are not universal.
"How does the law define a cosmetic?
The 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" [FD&C Act, sec. 201(i)]. Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, cleansing shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, and deodorants, as well as any substance intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.
How does the law define a drug?
The FD&C Act defines drugs, in part, by their intended use, as "articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals" [FD&C Act, sec. 201(g)(1)]." *(FDA)
*This was taken directly for the website*
For our purposes, we are not going to talk about the gray area. If you are not selling anything, the gray area will not matter. Why? It is because we are not going to be formulating over-the-counter drugs. We are going to stick to the strict definition. If you are going to be making your own cosmetic line, I think it is valuable information.
Now I HAVE to address this. DO NOT MAKE THE DIY PINTEREST. Makeup/skincare/treatment. They are NEVER as good as they promise. Most of them do not go in-depth enough to be reliable anyway. And do not follow any formulation principal.
Summary: We will only be making cosmetics. Any of the products will not be treating anything. Do not make any Pinterest DIY.
Further Reading (with Link):
www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ComplianceEnforcement/WarningLetters/ucm081086.htmhttps://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ComplianceEnforcement/WarningLetters/ucm081086.ht
