Cosmetics

Cosmetics are substances people use on their bodies to clean, make themselves look more beautiful, or change how they look. They are made from special mixtures of chemicals that come from nature or are made in labs. These products can help with personal care and skin care, hide imperfections, and make natural features like eyebrows and eyelashes stand out. Makeup can add color to the face, highlight features, or even change a person’s appearance to look like someone or something else.

People have been using cosmetics for thousands of years to take care of their skin and improve their looks. Both women and men have used makeup, and its popularity has changed over time through different periods in history.

Some older cosmetics had dangerous ingredients like lead, which made people very sick and sometimes even caused death. Today, most commercial cosmetics are tested to make sure they are safe, but they may still contain some ingredients that are debated, like certain chemicals that can cause allergies. Different places, such as the European Union, have strict rules about cosmetics. In the United States, cosmetic products don’t need approval from the FDA, but they are watched to ensure they are safe. Some countries have also stopped allowing tests on animals for cosmetic products.

Definition and etymology

The word cosmetics comes from an old Greek phrase meaning "technique of dress and ornament." It is related to words meaning "skilled in ordering or arranging" and "order."

Cosmetics are more than just makeup. They include things we use to clean or change how our skin, hair, or teeth look — like eye shadow, teeth-whitening strips, and perfumes.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says cosmetics are products meant to be put on the body for cleaning, making us look nicer, or changing our appearance, but not for changing how our body works. This wide idea includes anything meant to be used in a cosmetic product, though the FDA does not include pure soap in this group.

Use

Cosmetics for skin care help clean, smooth, and protect the skin. They include items like body lotions, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers. Other personal care products, such as shampoo and soap, help keep the body clean and can add a nice fragrance.

Makeup can hide small skin imperfections, make natural features stand out, or add color to the face. Sometimes, special makeup is used for performances, fashion shows, or costume to make someone look like a different person, animal, or object. Hair products like hair colors and hairsprays are also considered cosmetics.

History

Main article: History of cosmetics

People have used cosmetics for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians and Sumerians were among the first to use them. In Europe, during the Middle Ages, people used cosmetics to whiten their faces and add color to their cheeks. Over time, ideas about cosmetics changed, and sometimes they were not accepted.

Early cosmetics included kohl used by the ancient Egyptians, castor oil as a protective balm, and skin creams made from beeswax, olive oil, and rose water. In the nineteenth century, products like Vaseline and lanolin were developed.

Unfortunately, because there were no rules for making cosmetics and little scientific knowledge, many old cosmetics could be harmful. Some products contained dangerous substances and could cause serious health problems. For example, some makeup included lead, which could be very harmful when used over time.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the cosmetics industry grew. Famous people began endorsing products, and companies like L'Oréal were founded. By the mid-20th century, cosmetics were widely used around the world. Today, both women and men use cosmetics to enhance their appearance, and attitudes toward men using makeup have become more accepting.

Types of cosmetics

Cosmetics are products we put on our bodies to clean, beauty, or change how we look. They can be used on the face, body, or hair. Some cosmetics are for making us look nicer, like adding color, while others help take care of our skin.

There are many kinds of cosmetics. Some are for the face and eyes and are applied with a brush, sponge, or fingers. Others are liquids, creams, or powders.

Decorative

Primers are used on the face before makeup to make it go on smoothly.
Concealer hides marks or spots on the skin.
Foundation is put all over the face to even out skin tone.
Rouge or blush adds color to the cheeks.
Bronzer gives the skin a tanned look.
Highlighter adds shine to parts of the face like the nose and cheekbones.
Eyebrow products help shape and color the brows.
Eyeshadow adds color around the eyes.
Eyeliner makes the eyes look bigger and deeper.
False eyelashes make eyelashes longer and fuller.
Mascara makes eyelashes darker and thicker.
Lip products like lipstick, lip gloss, and lip balms add color and moisture to the lips.
Face powder and setting sprays keep makeup in place.
Nail polish colors the fingernails and toenails.

Skincare

Taking care of skin includes cleaning and moisturizing.

Cleansers wash away dirt and makeup.
Toners clean the skin after washing and can add moisture.
Facial masks are put on the skin and then removed to clean or refresh it.
Exfoliants help remove dead skin cells.
Moisturizers keep skin soft and smooth.
Eye creams are special moisturizers for the area around the eyes.
Sunscreens protect skin from the sun.
Serums are light liquids that add special ingredients to the skin before moisturizer.

Hair care

Hair care products help keep hair looking nice.

Shampoos clean the hair and scalp.
Hair conditioners make hair smoother and shinier after shampooing.
Styling products like gels and foams help keep hair in place.

Perfume

Perfumes or fragrances are special liquids you can spray or apply to give a nice, lasting smell. They are made by mixing different compounds together. Perfumes come in different groups based on how strong their smell is.

Eau de parfum has a stronger smell than Eau de toilette because it contains more perfume oil.

Tools

Different tools help apply cosmetics to the face.

Brushes

A makeup brush puts makeup on the face. There are two kinds: synthetic and natural. Synthetic brushes work best with creamy products, while natural brushes are good for powdery products. Using the right brush helps the makeup look smooth and even.
A foundation brush spreads product evenly and smooths the skin. It’s best for full coverage.
A concealer brush has a small, pointy tip for fixing spots like blemishes or dark spots.
A stippling brush has soft bristles that give a soft, airbrushed look. It’s good for light to medium coverage.
A blush brush comes in many shapes and sizes and is used to add a natural-looking color to the cheeks.
A powder brush is big and fluffy for spreading powder quickly all over the face. Powder gives a smooth, matte look.
A bronzer brush, which can also be used as a contour brush, is angled to add dimension to the face by placing makeup where the bones are. It can also add a shiny highlight to the cheekbones, nose, and chin.
A highlight brush, also called a fan brush, has spread-out bristles and is used to apply where the sun would naturally shine.
An eyeshadow brush is dense and packs shadow onto the eyelids.
A blending eyeshadow brush smooths out harsh lines from eyeshadow and softens the look.
An eyeliner brush has a very fine tip for lining the eyes with gel eyeliner precisely.
A spoolie brush shapes eyebrows and can also be used like a mascara wand.
A lip brush is small for putting lipstick evenly on the lips.
An eyebrow brush is tapered to define and fill in eyebrows for a fuller look.
A Kabuki brush applies powder makeup to large areas of the face, like loose powder, foundation, or blush, to even out the skin.

Other applicators

Besides brushes, a makeup sponge is a common tool. Sponges can apply foundation, blend concealer, and put on powder or highlighter.

Loofahs, microfiber cloths, natural sponges, or brushes can clean the skin by rubbing in circular motions. Some gels, creams, or lotions have acids to help remove dead skin cells, and they may include things like microbeads, sea salt, sugar, nut shells, rice bran, or apricot kernels to gently scrub the skin. Salt and sugar scrubs can be harsh, while those with beads or rice bran are usually very gentle.

Ingredients

Main article: Ingredients of cosmetics

Cosmetics are made from many different kinds of substances. These can be natural oils and fats, or chemicals made from oil. They also often include minerals such as iron oxides, talc, and zinc oxide. Some companies now share more information about what’s in their products because people want to know. This has led to a trend called “clean cosmetics,” where brands try to avoid certain ingredients that might not be healthy.

Some people prefer natural or handmade products, thinking they might be better for the skin. However, it’s important to remember that not all natural ingredients are safe for everyone.

Mineral makeup is made from dry mineral powders. It often doesn’t include certain chemicals like fragrances or preservatives, which can make it gentler on the skin. Some minerals can give the skin a shiny look.

Some cosmetics may contain tiny pieces of plastic, called microplastics. These can be added to improve how the product feels or looks. However, because these tiny pieces can get into the skin, they might cause problems over time.

Packaging

Main article: Cosmetic packaging

Cosmetic packaging refers to the containers and outer wrapping used for beauty products. The container that holds the product is called primary packaging, and it touches the product directly. The outer wrapping is called secondary packaging. Important safety information must be on the primary container so people can see it easily.

Rules for cosmetic packaging are set by groups like the International Organization for Standardization and are enforced by places like the EU and the FDA to make sure products are safe to sell.

Industry

A few big companies make most of the world's cosmetics. These companies started in the early 1900s and are found all over the world. Some of the largest companies are L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Shiseido, and Estée Lauder. In 2005, people spent about EUR 70 Billion each year on cosmetics in the US, Europe, and Japan.

Europe is the biggest market for cosmetics, with France playing a big role. In 2006, France sold €6.5 billion worth of cosmetics. Italy also has a strong cosmetics market, focusing more on hair and body products than makeup. In China, the cosmetics market is growing fast, partly because of social media.

Many famous designers and singers have their own perfume lines, which are often very expensive. Cosmetics can be bought in many places, including beauty stores, department stores, drugstores, and online shops. Companies now often use social media influencers to promote their products.

Safety evaluation

Further information: Environmental impact of pharmaceuticals and personal care products

In the United States, cosmetic products and their ingredients do not need approval before being sold, except for color additives. However, companies must make sure their products are safe. Other countries also have strict rules to keep cosmetics safe. The FDA watches over cosmetic products and can take action against companies that break rules about how they make, label, or sell cosmetics.

Perfumes are used in many everyday products. Some ingredients in fragrances can cause skin reactions in certain people.

Animal testing

Main article: Testing cosmetics on animals

Because of concerns about using animals for testing, some countries require proof of safety that might involve animals. Companies are responsible for making sure each ingredient and the final product are safe before selling them. When animal testing is used, rules encourage using as few animals as possible and kind methods. Scientists also look for other ways to test safety without using whole animals.

Some places, like the Netherlands, India, Norway, Israel, New Zealand, Belgium, and the UK, have banned testing cosmetics on animals. In 2013, rules in the European Union stopped the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. China used to require animal testing but changed its rules in recent years. In 2020, Australia also passed laws to stop using animal testing data for cosmetics.

Legislation

Europe

In the European Union, rules about making, labeling, and selling cosmetics and personal care products are set by Regulation EC 1223/2009. These rules apply to all EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Whether a company makes just one product or many, they must follow these rules to sell in the EU. Companies often use special testing services to make sure their products meet these rules.

Since 1976, Europe has had laws to keep cosmetic products safe. A big change came in 2004 when testing cosmetics on animals became illegal. This also included testing the ingredients of cosmetics on animals, which became fully banned by 2013.

Europe updates its cosmetic rules to match new technology and keep products safe for health. Companies that make or sell cosmetics in Europe are called “responsible persons.” This means they must make sure their products follow the rules and keep important safety documents.

United States

In 1938, the United States passed the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, letting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) watch over cosmetic safety. In 1997, the FDA joined other groups to find ways to stop animal testing, but rules in 2022 still allow it for some tests.

Current U.S. law does not require cosmetics to be approved by the FDA before selling, except for color additives. A new law called the Cosmetic Safety Enhancement Act was proposed in December 2019.

Brazil

ANVISA, the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency, sets the rules for cosmetics in Brazil. These rules apply to makers, importers, and sellers of cosmetics and match rules in other Mercosur countries.

Brazil has rules limiting or banning some substances in cosmetics, like pyrogallol and formaldehyde. These banned and limited substances are listed in special regulations. Brazil also has new rules from 2013 about allowed and limited substances in products like hair dyes.

International

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) created new guidelines in 2007 for safely making cosmetics, called ISO 22716:2007. Many countries use this standard, which covers all steps from getting materials to shipping the final product. It helps companies improve their quality systems and meet safety rules.

In 2012, ISO also introduced new rules to check how well cosmetics protect against germs, because this is a big worry for product quality.