ABSTRACT
Cosmetics are a category of consumer products marketed worldwide; their purpose and functions are universal to people of all cultures. The 2003 global cosmetics and toiletries market had a retail value of $ 201.45 billion (1), representing 4.8% growth as compared to 2002 figures. Product categories tabulated included adult and baby toiletries, skincare, fragrance, haircare, depilatories, personal and oral hygiene, suncare, makeup products, and men’s grooming products. In the United States alone, there are over 1400 domestic manufacturing and repacking establishments, which in the aggregate use more than 12,500 different cosmetic ingredients (2), and a corresponding number of fragrance ingredients that make over 25,000 product formulations (3). Once considered luxuries by consumers of modest economic means, cosmetics and toiletries are seen today as necessities by a growing number of consumers, regardless of their relative states of affluence (4). Cosmetics are regarded not as mere pampered indulgences, but as key aids to maintaining and promoting better standards of personal hygiene and health. Yet, what are these products that we call ‘‘cosmetics’’?
