cosmeceutical

n.

A pharmaceutical product that provides cosmetic benefits.

Example Citation:

Oddly enough, science and beauty have become allies in a field some professionals refer to as "cosmeceuticals." The term was coined by Albert Kligman, the University of Pennsylvania researcher credited with discovering the effectiveness of Retin-A, a vitamin A, in smoothing aging skins.

—Jackie White, "On the face of it," Kansas City Star, January 25, 1998

Earliest Citation:

Under controlled laboratory conditions, Factor X produces changes in the skin fibroblasts, the building blocks of the skin, that can be seen visually and can be measured biochemically. Thus Factor X could be among the first of a new kind of cosmetic, a 'cosmeceutical,' that actually changes the cell biology with beneficial effects on aging of cells. The product would work on the skin from the inside-out, rather than outside-in, like most present cosmetics.

—"Senetek anti-aging compound passes acute toxicology tests," Business Wire, October 14, 1987

Notes:

Also:

This is Newport Beach, home of sun lovers and boat lovers, the rich

and newly rich and headquarters of Geneve Cosmeceuticals, a

Swiss-developed skin care line packaged in frosted glass with gray

trim.

—Laura Tuchman, "Geneve cosmetics line believes beauty is more than skin-deep," The Orange County Register, May 15, 1987

Related Words:

cheapdate

nutraceutical

Category:

Science (General)