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Cosmetic preparations
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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Modern cosmetic products are diverse, and depending on the final purpose of use, composition, and methods of application, they are divided into individual and professional.
Individual cosmetics are intended for independent use by the consumer without professional training. Individual cosmetics can be purchased in regular retail chains, specialized stores, beauty salons and other cosmetology establishments, as well as in pharmacies. It can be purchased independently or after advice from a consultant. In recent years, individual cosmetics have become widely distributed through network marketing. Depending on pricing and advertising policies, the quality of the ingredients and manufacturing technology, individual cosmetics are divided into mass-market cosmetics (brands such as Nivea, Dove, etc.), luxury cosmetics (brands such as Chanel, Dior, Guerlain, etc.) and cosmeceuticals.
Cosmeceuticals is a term that arose from the combination of the words "cosmetics" and "pharmaceuticals". This concept unites cosmetic products that allow not only to eliminate a number of pathological changes in the skin, but also to affect the cause of their appearance. These products are highly effective, systemic and locally safe, hypoallergenic, and have a well-studied mechanism of action. Initially, they were produced for dermatological patients. Cosmeceutical products are presented in pharmacies all over the world, and depending on the goals and tasks to be solved! Among them, aesthetic and therapeutic tasks are distinguished. The aesthetic range allows for safe daily care of any type of skin and hair, as well as prevention and correction of signs of aging in healthy individuals (brands "Lierac", "Galenik", "RoK", "Vichy Laboratories", "Kloran", "Fito", "Uriage", etc.). The treatment range, which is usually recommended by doctors or consultants, allows for basic skin care of dermatological patients during periods of exacerbation and remission of dermatoses, monotherapy of mild clinical forms or initial manifestations of diseases, and also to accompany drug treatment (brands "Aven", "Bioderma", "Biorga", "Ducray", "La Roche-Posay", "MERC Medication Familial").
Professional cosmetics are products used in cosmetology institutions, which can be prescribed and used only by persons with special education. They often have a high concentration of active ingredients, require strict stages of use, can be introduced into the skin using a number of physical methods (ultrasound, electrophoresis, etc.). There are also separate professional cosmeceutical lines (brands "Valmont", "Darfin", "Talgoya", etc.).
According to the main points of application, cosmetic preparations are divided into the following groups: for daily skin care, for correction of signs of skin aging, whitening, photoprotective, for hair and scalp care, for nail plate care, camouflage, for artificial skin coloring, etc.
Depending on their purpose, cosmetics contain various plant extracts, biologically active substances (vitamins, enzymes, placenta extracts, collagen, etc.) and other ingredients. Liposomes are very popular - phospholipid bubbles of phosphatidylcholine, isolated from egg yolk during its special processing. In recent years, various microelements (zinc, copper, magnesium, etc.) have been widely included, which have an effect on many physiological parameters of the skin.
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