Consumers and manufacturers sometimes have questions about the term “cosmeceutical.”
Written & researched by Norpadilah Abd Latif, Chemist & Cosmetic Formulation Contributor, Dr Orizi · Reviewed by Creaton Poh · Published by Dr Orizi (M) Sdn. Bhd., ORIZI Group · Last reviewed September 2026
Disclosure: This article is published by Dr Orizi and reflects our own formulation and manufacturing experience. External factual claims are supported by cited sources.
The term “cosmeceutical” has no meaning under the law. While the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) does not recognize the term “cosmeceutical,” the cosmetic industry uses this word to refer to cosmetic products that have medicinal or drug-like benefits.
A product can be a drug, a cosmetic or both. The FD&C Act defines drugs as those products that cure, treat, mitigate or prevent disease or that affect the structure or function of the human body, if a product makes such claims it will be regulated as a drug. Cosmetics are intended to beautify, promote attractiveness, alter appearance or cleanse; they are not approved by FDA for sale nor are they intended to effect structure or function of the body.
Credited to fda.gov
