ABSTRACT
Cosmeceuticals are a unique and rapidly growing eld within dermatology and the skin care industry. The industry was estimated to have generated approximately $8.2 billion in sales in 2012 with a projected annual growth of 7.4% each year [1]. Consumers in the United States spend more on cosmeceutical products than all of Europe combined, with consumers in France and Germany spending the most within Europe [2]. Although there is no strict denition for cosmeceuticals [3], and they are not called as such everywhere, they are typically considered cosmetic products with components that may have “drug-like” benets. Several examples of cosmeceuticals include moisturizers, serums, topical antioxidants, retinoids, peptides, and botanicals. They are believed to contain either one or a mix of ingredients that enhance skin condition and appearance without making a specic claim on skin health. Development of cosmeceutical products has distinct economic advantages as they are easier to market and require less monetary investment than a drug, which may require $800 million to upward of $1 billion [4].
