What is Know As Cosmetics? Overview

Cosmetics are products designed to beautify skin, hair or fingernails. Examples include perfumes, lipsticks and nail polishes among many other beauty items.

Most cosmetics consist of solutions composed of water-soluble ingredients combined with some kind of basic diluent such as alcohol. This formula ensures hygiene and often includes preservatives.

Fragrances are another popular cosmetic ingredient and may either be natural or synthetic in composition, acting as masking agents in various products.

Definition

Cosmetics are substances used to accentuate or beautify the complexion, hair, skin and nails. Makeup is one example of cosmetics; other examples include perfume, skin cream and grooming aids such as shaving soap or gel. Products which claim therapeutic effects or are regulated as drugs (for instance topical antibiotic creams) also fall under this category. As opposed to food products however, cosmetics do not contain nutritional value and must only be applied externally for enhancement purposes.

Humans have used various substances to beautify themselves for at least 10,000 years, and cosmetic use is now widespread throughout modern industrial societies around the globe. While in previous eras cosmetics might have been seen as vulgar or improper, today they are widely accepted by society and integrated into daily life.

Cosmetics are produced mainly by pharmaceutical, chemical and other related industries for sale through retail stores or bulk orders for professional use. Due to being complex chemical combinations, understanding their functions requires some form of scientific knowledge – usually available via ingredient lists of cosmetic products; preferentially the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) system provides this data.

Cosmetic ingredients may either be liquid or solid in nature and the final product could range from an emulsion, paste, powder dispersions, anhydrous creams or lotions to fillers and thickeners to give the appropriate texture and consistency. Water is often the essential ingredient of most cosmetics; ultra-pure or distilled versions must be used if available, otherwise simply “distilled water” would suffice.

Cosmetic regulations vary between countries. Cosmetics that fall into one jurisdiction might be classified as drugs in another; differences could stem from legal definitions for drugs and cosmetics; restrictions on color additive use or registration requirements of products/ingredients – for instance sunscreen is often considered both drugs and cosmetics due to its UV radiation protection properties.

Purpose

Cosmetics are any variety of preparations designed to beautify, preserve or alter appearance; cleanse, color condition or protect skin, hair, nails, eyes or lips; perfumes/fragrances as well as moisturizers/face powders/nail polishes can all fall under this definition of a cosmetic. Both natural and synthetic cosmetic products fall within this definition, with ingredients usually coming from plants/animals as sources and often featuring an assortment of colors in its ingredients.

Cosmetics were originally developed for personal hygiene or to enhance appearance by masking flaws such as blemishes. First popularized by ancient Egyptians and later dancers and models in modern society. Cosmetics can be applied by both men and women using tools such as brushes or sponges; mixed with various substances to produce different effects and even be used to change facial features in color, shape or size.

Many consumers are seeking cosmetics crafted with healthy, nontoxic ingredients, with an increasing market for organic or “green” beauty products. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to distinguish whether a product truly meets these standards or simply contains less harmful chemical alternatives; furthermore, FDA does not strictly regulate cosmetics like food or drugs do and labeling of cosmetics may vary by brand and labeling practices may not always match up.

Cosmetics are made up of various chemical compounds derived either naturally or artificially, and may come from either natural or artificial sources. Products designed for personal care and skin protection such as cleansers, lotions, soaps, shampoos conditioners and deodorants fall under this category; while those intended to alter one’s appearance include makeup – used to conceal blemishes enhance facial features like eyebrows or eyelashes or add color or even make someone appear to be another species or an object.

Cosmetic use has often generated heated debate, as some view cosmetics as tools of oppression or subjugation of women to unfair societal standards. Some feminists have advocated banning cosmetic use altogether while others see its advantages outweighing any risks.

Types

Cosmetics refers to any products used to improve or protect the appearance of hair, skin, nails and lips as well as to perfume the body. Cosmetics can range from makeup and skincare products, hair care and perfumes – with each depending on its ingredients, purpose and product type; lipsticks, mascaras, foundations and eyeshadows being popular forms of makeup while others include facial cleansers, moisturizers and shampoos – being among them.

Cosmetic products have been used for millennia, though probably not available to ancient Egyptians. Archaeological findings indicate they first came into use for beauty purposes sometime around 4 millennium bc when Egyptian men and women began applying perfumed oils to their face and hair, applying kohl (made of lampblack or antimony) to darken eyebrows and eyelashes and outline eyes as well as rouge to redden cheeks; face powder was also widely used. By the early 1900s large cosmetic firms such as L’Oreal Elizabeth Arden Helena Rubinstein with Revlon joining shortly before World War II.

Cosmetic products encompass an assortment of skin care products, such as creams, lotions and emollients. These can include moisturizers, vitamins and other nutrients to promote the health of skin cells; sunscreens to block harmful UV rays; exfoliants that remove dead cells to make skin appear younger-looking; as well as nail polish and acrylic or gel nails which can all fall within this category.

Consumers increasingly choose natural cosmetics, which typically pose lower risks of toxic or carcinogenicity, and there is also an emerging trend towards organic and cruelty-free cosmetics; meaning ingredients don’t undergo testing on animals and don’t contain animal derivatives in their formula.

Most cosmetics contain some sort of fragrance; this could be artificial or natural and designed to attract and keep people using a product. Fragrance acts as a draw to users; even “unscented” or “natural” items will have some scent; multiple chemicals used create this aroma from just one ingredient list alone!

Role in society

Cosmetics are essential tools in achieving the look they want, whether that means altering skin texture, lips, eyelashes, eyebrows, nails and hair to scenting the body. Cosmetics play an integral part of life for many individuals. They help them hone in on what they desire while simultaneously giving off scent.

Makeup, perfumes and lotions are among the most commonly used cosmetics. People typically use makeup to cover blemishes, brighten eyes and add color to the skin; some also use it to alter facial structures or styles and alter hair textures. Some individuals may prefer natural products instead of cosmetics to protect their health or because they believe natural beauty is more attractive.

Cosmetic ingredients may be synthetic; however, some come from natural sources as well. Natural substances used as cosmetics include plants, minerals and animal products. Plant-based cosmetics tend to be gentle on skin while mineral-based varieties often feature clays or ground up minerals for maximum effect. Finally, animal products contain essential fats and oils which make excellent ingredients in cosmetic products.

In the eighteenth century, both upper-class men and women of both genders donned makeup. After the American Revolution however, visible paint cosmetics became socially unacceptable and for much of the nineteenth century few cosmetics with pigment were manufactured here; women relied instead on recipe for homemade makeup which spread among friends, families and women’s magazines; these recipes allowed them to prepare lotions, powders and skin washes which could lighten complexion or conceal blemishes or freckles discreetly while druggists sold the ingredients necessary for these preparations.

Most chemicals found in cosmetics are water soluble, making them easy to rinse off when needed. However, some are absorbed through the skin and could potentially be harmful if consumed or inhaled directly through eyes; some are even harmful to the environment – hence it is vital that consumers research what chemicals may be present before purchasing cosmetics.

Some celebrities are involved with creating cosmetics, particularly perfumes. Many have started their own brands; singer Celine Dion for example has created her own line of perfumes. However, their popularity has led to protests by feminists against items seen as tools of oppression or enforced femininity such as makeup.