Skip to content
WebMD: Better information. Better health.
 
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Medical Dictionary

Healthy Beauty

Tools & Resources

Select An Article

What Are "Cosmeceuticals?"

Font Size
A
A
A

Some products can be both cosmetics and drugs. Such products have two uses. For example, a shampoo is a cosmetic because it's used to clean the hair. But, an dandruff treatment is a drug because it's used to treat dandruff. So dandruff shampoo is both a cosmetic and a drug. Other examples are:

  • toothpastes that contain fluoride
  • deodorants that are also antiperspirants
  • moisturizers and make-up that provide sun protection

These products must meet the standards for both cosmetics (color additives) and drugs.

Some cosmetic makers use the term "cosmeceutical" to refer to products that have drug-like benefits. The FDA does not recognize this term. A product can be a drug, a cosmetic, or a combination of both. But the term "cosmeceutical" has no meaning under the law.

While drugs are reviewed and approved by the FDA, cosmetics are not. If a product acts like a drug, the FDA must approve it as a drug.

WebMD Medical Reference

View Article Sources Sources
Reviewed by Michael J. Wheatley, MD on September 19, 2009
© 2009 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
Next Article: