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Background: Cosmetics have been used since the oldest known civilisations, and nowadays almost everybody resorts to beauty products., Objective: Considering the increasing incidence of contact dermatitis, the aim of the study is to determine the impact of allergy to cosmetics., Methods: From January 1998 to December 1999, 819 patients were subjected to epicutaneous tests for suspicion of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The results were analysed retrospectively in the total population and in that of children under 16: the interest has been focused on cosmetics., Results: 297 patients (36.3%) with ACD to 1 or more cosmetic ingredients have been detected. 34 (48.6%) out of 70 children patch tested showed an ACD: cosmetics represented the first cause., Conclusion: For two decades, the incidence of ACD has been rising; two main reasons can be put forward: a rising product consumption and a more exhaustive allergen research in patch testing., (Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Classification of cosmetics, which are more and more similar to topical therapeutic agents, is getting increasingly difficult for dermatologists. Their definition within the EU and the respective European directives, replacing national laws step by step, will be briefly presented. The problems of distinguishing cosmetics from medicinal products will be discussed in detail by examples from clinical practice. Finally, we will review the various active substances which tend to be added to cosmetics following the global trend in the cosmetic industry towards developing "medicinally" active cosmetics, and in the pharmaceutical industry towards "cosmetically" oriented medicinal products as part of a current "life-style" ideology. In some clinical dermatological fields these active substances may allow the dermatologists to use cosmetics as topical therapeutic agents.

Marker elements of red cosmetics, collected from ancient burials of Matsuyama, Tokushima and Nara Japan, were determined by emission spectrometry (ICP/AES). The mass ratios of Hg, Fe, Cu, and Zn were different between samples. Element levels were compared with reference to relative amounts of sulfur. Of the possible contaminants from the bone and sand of burials, the relative amounts of Hg and Fe to S were most commonly available to evaluate the difference between the cosmetics. The cosmetics were divided into four groups; type I (high Hg with less Fe), type II (both moderate Hg and Fe), type III (moderate Hg with high Fe) and type IV (less Hg with high Fe). The main constituents of cosmetics are mercury sulfide (cinnabar) or ferric oxide mixed with trace metals. Zinc contents differ between the Fe and Hg amounts for the three areas. Cosmetic compositions varied with each burial site, suggesting that they were derived from different mines of ancient Japan.

The application of colored facial cosmetics is an important part of patient postsurgical rehabilitation. Careful cosmetic selection can avoid surgical complications while providing necessary camouflaging until healing is complete. Dermatologic surgeons should provide guidelines to their patients on postsurgical cosmetic use.

Cosmetic camouflaging techniques can be used to minimize the appearance of facial scarring due to trauma and/or surgery. Facial pigmentation defects are minimized through the application of facial foundations of complimentary colors. Principles of high-lighting and shadowing are used to conceal surface contour defects by combining opaque facial foundations with colored cosmetics.

Facial moisturizers are part of the cosmetic category known as skin care products, which also includes other facial products such as astringents, toners, soaps, and bath products. This article describes the composition and pharmaceutics of currently marketed moisturizers, the use of fragrances and preservatives in these products, how cosmetic facial moisturizers work on wrinkles, sunscreen-containing facial moisturizers, and the Food and Drug Administration's record regulating drug claims for anti-wrinkling products.