| Have you ever heard the new buzz term | | | | for fear of FDA regulation. |
| "cosmeceuticals"? This nifty term refers to the | | | | Cosmetic companies specializing in anti aging have |
| fusion of two areas, one which cultivates | | | | come up with everything from potent vitamin |
| necessary medications which control our bodily | | | | extracts, to skin tightening complexes with |
| processes internally, and the other, which | | | | antioxidants, restructuring aids like peptides and |
| manipulates our body from the outside, | | | | other skin cell regenerators, and a host of other |
| cosmetically improving our appearance. | | | | interesting sounding ingredients that keep popping |
| You guessed it, the first is "pharmaceuticals" and | | | | up as the latest in age reversal and age |
| the second is "cosmetics". The joining of these | | | | prevention. |
| two fields, both extremely lucrative, and arguably | | | | And which of these latest "cosmeceutical grade" |
| necessary, is called "cosmeceuticals", and this | | | | anti aging and wrinkle creams is best? Well, it's |
| exciting new breed is causing a stir in the beauty | | | | hard to say, because there are now quite a few |
| community lately. | | | | in competition with one another that do contain |
| Although they have been united in this new genre | | | | ingredients that are beneficial in different ways. |
| of cosmetics, the two are very different when it | | | | If you're looking for a fresher and brighter look, |
| comes to government and advisory board | | | | with more cell turnover, you may turn to a |
| regulation. Pharmaceuticals, at least in the US | | | | formula with acids such as alpha hydroxy and |
| currently, are heavily regulated by the organization | | | | other fruit derived acids, or one loaded with |
| known as the FDA, while cosmetics are not | | | | antioxidants. |
| government regulated. | | | | If you're looking for more of a quick fix, skin |
| Why? Cosmetics are not regulated by any | | | | tightening formula, you may choose a formula |
| government agency because they are not | | | | with ingredients like copper, hyaluronic acid and |
| considered a device that alters bodily chemistry | | | | DMAE, which is a substance that is found naturally |
| of function internally in any way, nor are they | | | | in the skin of certain fish and is excellent for |
| advertised as substances that change the | | | | almost instantaneous firming and toning. |
| chemistry of the body. | | | | Either way you slice it, women have the best |
| Currently, cosmetics manufacturers are walking | | | | options for anti aging and wrinkle fighting in the |
| on eggshells to keep this paritcular pharmaceutical | | | | here and now, than they ever had in the past. |
| and cosmetic distinction in tact, as precious dollars | | | | The best part is, it only stands to get better, with |
| could be lost if the new breed of cosmeceuticals | | | | the constant development of new anti aging |
| were government regulated. | | | | products. As long as the cosmetics companies |
| Even if a wrinkle cream currently marketed had | | | | keep responding to increasing consumer demand |
| the ability to actually "get rid of wrinkles", | | | | for anti aging aids, we will have consistent |
| cosmetic marketers are very careful to still note | | | | upgrades in cosmeceutical offerings. |
| that they only decrease or eliminate the | | | | The downside? Some of it can become a bit |
| "appearance" of aging and wrinkles, since this still | | | | pricey, but remember, a little usually goes a long |
| technically is not pharmaceutical in nature. | | | | way, so you may actually be going through the |
| Some of these new cosmeceuticals which feature | | | | "expensive" stuff at a fraction of the speed you |
| high grade vitamins and various proteins and | | | | would go through a cheaper, lighter formula. And |
| peptides actually do "get rid of wrinkles" and | | | | who can put a price on looking and feeling young? |
| remove signs of aging though, although they still | | | | Call me vain, shallow, or narcissistic, but I'll pay the |
| are careful to avoid this overzealous marketing | | | | extra money, as long as I get serious results! |