Standards and Regulations

Consumers and producers sometimesThe term "cosmeceuticals" raises questions.

The term "cosmeceutical" has no legal meaning. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) does not recognize the term "cosmeceutical," but the cosmetics industry uses it to refer to cosmetics that have drug or drug-like benefits.

A product can be a drug, a cosmetic, or both. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines drugs as products that cure, treat, mitigate, or prevent disease, or affect the structure or function of the body; if a product makes such claims, it is regulated as a drug. Cosmetics are intended to beautify, enhance attractiveness, alter appearance, or cleanse; they are notIt is not approved for sale by the FDA and is not intended to affect the structure or function of the human body.