Cosmeceutical: This term refers to a cosmetic item that is believed to offer medicinal or drug-like effects. These products are advertised as cosmetics but are said to include active biological ingredients. Examples include anti-wrinkle creams with components like alpha lipoic acid and dimethylaminoethanol, as well as creams featuring "cellular replenishment serum," which are claimed to have "anti-aging properties." The word "cosmeceutical" emerged in the 1990s, combining "cosmetic" and "pharmaceutical." While the cosmetic industry frequently uses this term, it is not officially recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unlike drugs, which must undergo a rigorous review and approval process by the FDA, cosmetics are not subject to the same scrutiny. However, if a product possesses drug-like characteristics, it must be classified and approved as a drug. Cosmeceuticals often bypass this regulatory review and approval process.
