What is a cosmetic? Nowadays we find a multitude of cosmetics for skin care: serums, eye contours, toners, cleansers, peels, creams… Today we are going to tell you what each of them is for and what the benefits of using them are.
When we talk about what a cosmetic is, we should not ignore its history. Cosmetics has an ancient tradition . History reminds us of Cleopatra and Nefertiti as great experts in the art of beauty but it was not until the 17th century that the term ” cosmetic ” appeared, which means “relating to ornamentation.”
However, it was earlier, in the 16th century, when the cosmetics boom arose in Italy, where the monks of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella created the first laboratory where cosmetics and medicines were made.
Cosmetics today
Currently, the world of cosmetics has evolved a lot and continues to advance at high speed thanks to the implementation of new technologies. Cosmetics are no longer just about aesthetics , skin health is a factor that consumers increasingly take into account when choosing their cosmetics.
New trends force cosmetic laboratories to update their products to satisfy new beauty models and consumer needs, as well as blend in with new lifestyles. Today’s consumer is committed to comprehensive beauty, which does not only consider physical appearance.
Today, beauty is holistic , external and internal, which implies that brands and products grow and that we have numerous and different cosmetic products on the market, products that are committed to beauty and skin health but also, for the sensoriality in its textures, for the experience, care for the environment and social awareness. Hence, new products constantly appear, so many that on many occasions we can find ourselves not knowing what their purpose is.
Products or preparations intended for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases are not considered cosmetics . Nor, those intended to be ingested, inhaled, injected or implanted
What is a cosmetic?
A cosmetic is a product that is used for personal hygiene or to improve the appearance , especially of the face. Their functions vary according to their classification. Cosmetics may be intended to cleanse, perfume, protect, modify, maintain and correct bodily aspects.
In short, cosmetics refer to beauty. They are applied to the face or other parts of the body to beautify and are mainly intended for use by women. Cosmetics are sold in the form of creams, solutions, suspensions, gels, emulsions in water or oils…
Among those that stand out the most are skin care creams, hair products and hygiene products.
Classification of cosmetic and personal hygiene products
Cosmetics can be classified based on many parameters such as their presentation, active ingredients or function, or their use.
A widely used classification example would be:
COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOR BABIES-CHILDREN
1.- Shampoos
2.- Conditioners
3.- Lotions
4.- Oils
5.- Creams
6.- Powders
7.- Other children’s products
COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOR THE EYE AREA
1.- Eyebrow pencil, eyes
2.- Eyeliner
3.- Eye shadows
4.- Eye makeup remover
5.- Mascaras for eyelashes
6.- Other products for the eye area
COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOR THE SKIN
1.- Blushes
2.- Facial Powders
3.- Makeup Base (Liquid, Creamy)
4.- Facial Concealers
5.- Products for Legs and Body
6.- Facial Creams
7.- Facial Lotions
8.- Hand Creams Body
9.- Hand and Body Lotions
10.- Foot Powders
11.- Facial Masks
12.- Other products Cosmetics for the skin
COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOR LIPS
1.- Lipsticks
2.- Lip Gloss
3.- Lip Protectors
4.- Lip Liners
5.- Other lip care products
COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOR BODY GROOMING AND HYGIENE
1.- Soaps and bath gels
2.- Powders
3.- Bath oils
4.- Bath tablets
5.- Bath salts
6.- Bubbles and bath gels
7.- Shampoos
8.- Wet cloths and towels
9 .- Other body hygiene products
DEODORANT AND ANTI-PERSPIRANT PRODUCTS
1.- Deodorants
2.- Deodorants and Antiperspirants
3.- Other deodorizing and antiperspirant products
HAIR COSMETIC PRODUCTS
1.- Hair dyes
2.- Shampoos
3.- Hair sprays
4.- Hair highlighter
5.-Conditioners
6.- Hair masks
7.- Hair bleaches
8.- Hairsprays
9.- Gels
10.- Mousse-Foams
11.- Permanents
14.- Tonic Lotions
15.- Other hair products
COSMETIC PRODUCTS FOR NAILS
1.- Nail Polish Base
2.- Cuticle Softener
3.- Nail Creams
4.- Nail Polish
5.- Nail Polish Remover
6.- Nail Oil
7.- Nail Glitter
8.- Other Nail Products
PRODUCTS FOR ORAL AND DENTAL HYGIENE
1.- Toothpaste (All Types)
2.- Mouthwashes-Mouthwashes
3.- Other oral hygiene products
SHAVING PRODUCTS
1.- Shaving foams or gels
2.- After-shave balms
3.- After-shave lotions
4.- After-shave creams or gels
5.- Other shaving products
TANNING PRODUCTS, SUN PROTECTION
1.- Tanning Oils
2.- Tanning Creams
3.- Tanning Lotions
4.- Sunscreens
5.- Post-sun products
6.- Other products for tanning and sun protection
HAIR REMOVAL PRODUCTS
1.- Depilatory Waxes
2.- Depilatory Creams
3.- Depilatory Oils
4.- Depilatory Gel
online parapharmacy
What type of cosmetics are sold in a parapharmacy?
After seeing what a cosmetic is and its classification, if we look inside what the pharmacy is we find what we call “parapharmacy.” Parapharmacy is understood as the practice of preparing and dispensing medicinal products other than medicines.
The parapharmacy differs from the pharmacy in that the pharmacy sells medications and medical treatments to alleviate pathologies or the symptoms of diseases. On the other hand, parapharmacy products for health, beauty and well-being are sold , all of them intended to improve or take care of people’s health.
An interesting fact is the ground that online parapharmacy has gained. While a few years ago it was perfumeries that stood out in the sale of cosmetics, today parapharmacy is sweeping, especially in the online environment.
