What are Cosmeceuticals?

The term “cosmeceutical” has no meaning under the law. While the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) does not recognize the term “cosmeceutical,” the cosmetic industry uses this word to refer to cosmetic products that have medicinal or drug-like benefits.

A product can be a drug, a cosmetic or both, a cosmeceutical.

The FD&C Act defines drugs as those products that cure, treat, mitigate or prevent disease or that affect the structure or function of the human body, if a product makes such claims it will be regulated as a drug.

Cosmetics are intended to beautify, promote attractiveness, alter appearance or cleanse—they are not intended to affect structure or function of the body.

Please visit the Cosmetics section of FDA website.