ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights some of the directions that have to be taken and the issues that have to be addressed to enable Australian natural products to become ingredients in products used by the global cosmetics industry. The cosmetics industry is large, global and growing, especially in Latin America, India and China. Among current trends, one which shows no sign of waning includes interest in plant-derived natural ingredients. The cosmetics industry incorporates all the products found in a typical vanity cupboard: skincare moisturisers, deodorants, sun protection cream, self-tanning lotion, shampoo, make-up, toothpaste, hair dye, hair gel and so on. Plant preparations may have very different properties and effects depending on the part used and the extraction process. Apart from use of the plant part in its pure state, that is dried and milled, the types of plant preparations used in cosmetic products may include essential oils, extracts, resins and tars, tinctures and waters.
