FEATURE ARTICLES

The skin is the first line of defence. If the epidermal structure, the skin barrier, is altered, it weakens and skin disorders soon appear. If it happens, and skin regeneration and natural mechanisms for repair just fail, a therapeutic solution becomes essential.

The skin is the outermost organ of human body, providing a selective barrier that regulates the penetration of exogenous substances from the external environment and controls the cutaneous water balance.

Many people now claim to suffer from what is termed ‘sensitive skin’ and consequently seek out products that either alleviate symptoms or prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Sensitive skin is a self-diagnosed condition that many consumers consider themselves to have. A study performed in UK on 3,800 subjects found that 51.4% of women and 38.2% of men self-reported their skin as being sensitive.1

This article aims to give an overview of how cosmetic products are regulated in the US, Canada, Australia, and ASEAN countries. These countries were chosen as they regulate cosmetics through post market surveillance and not through premarket testing.

Vytrus Biotech launched in 2009 as a spinoff company of the Faculty of Pharmacy from the University of Barcelona. It was created by two scientists from the research group Plant Biotechnology Production of Phytomedicines, which has over 35 years’ experience in the area of plant cell cultures.

Two specialty macroalgae-derived extracts have been developed by leading Australian biotechnology company Marinova, for use in cosmetic formulations.

Oily skin usually goes hand in hand with the presence of shininess, acne scars, blackheads and enlarged pores, all contributing to an unattractive and less smooth appearance.

Natural oils have become a common additive to personal care products. They fit the definition of natural, sustainable and can be renewable and even organic. While these classifications are sometimes unclear in meaning, the reason we formulate with a particular oil is often just as obscure.

Waxes and butters play a significant role in the textural qualities of many personal care products.

Biomimetics is a cutting edge technology platform that involves the concept of taking inspiration from nature; its models, systems and processes and exploiting them to meet consumer demands.

Interest in natural and sustainable personal care products continues to grow. According to Mintel Corp and Kline’s report, the natural cosmetics market reported sales of over US$30 million globally, increasing 10% in 2014.1,2

Dandruff, also referred to as seborrheic dermatitis in its more severe form, can be described as a chronic scaling of the scalp and is found in a high proportion of the global population at one time or another. Inflammation and itching are more often seen in severe forms.

For many years, shampoos and conditioners have maintained their position as a basic hair care step for cleansing and smoothing. However, instead of simply relying on shampoo and conditioners to respond to their hair-type needs, consumer interest is changing and so is the complexity of individual hair care routines.

Lip products have been used since ancient times in order to enhance the appearance of the face. They impart colour and gloss to the lips, and re-define the outline of the lips.

in-cosmetics will be returning to Seoul, South Korea, on the 6-7 July this year for the second edition of in-cosmetics Korea.

Use of marine products, especially as cosmetic ingredients has been growing in the past thirty years and will grow much more in the near future.

According to the current Cosmetic Regulation EC 1223/2009 a cosmetic product made available on the market should be safe for human health when used under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.

Consumers and, increasingly, the global cosmetics market are currently focusing on hydrating skin care products containing natural ingredients of controlled origin.

Lipoid Kosmetik AG was founded in 1972 under the name Cosmetochem for the purpose of manufacturing botanical extracts for the cosmetics market.