Cosmetics
Overview
Cosmetics are substances applied, sprayed, or spread on the human body's skin, hair, nails, and similar parts to keep them clean and beautiful or to maintain health. Beyond being a simple means of beautification, they function as tools for self-expression and social interaction, and in the modern era they have become a representative consumer good in which science, technology, and industry converge.
Main Content
Definition and Classification of Cosmetics
Under the Cosmetics Act, cosmetics are articles that clean and beautify the human body to make one's appearance bright and lively, and whose action on the human body is mild. They are distinguished from pharmaceuticals, which have pharmacological effects. In general, cosmetics are divided into basic skincare, color cosmetics, hair care products, and fragrance products. Basic skincare products—such as cleansers, toners, lotions, and creams—are responsible for moisturizing and nourishing the skin, while color cosmetics—such as foundation, lipstick, and eyeshadow—serve to adorn one's appearance. Hair care products include shampoo, conditioner, hair dye, and hair styling products, while fragrance products include perfume and eau de cologne.
History
The origins of cosmetics trace back to ancient Egypt. Kohl, which Cleopatra used to line her eyes, is a representative example, and in ancient Greece and Rome there was a custom of applying white lead to the face. In East Asia, rouge and powder were used from the Three Kingdoms period, and in the Joseon Dynasty white powder and rouge were popular. In the 20th century, with the development of the chemical industry, synthetic raw materials emerged and cosmetics entered an era of mass production; subsequently, functional cosmetics appeared alongside advances in skin science research.
Main Ingredients and Functions
Cosmetics are composed of various ingredients such as purified water, humectants, oils, surfactants, preservatives, and fragrances. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides are commonly used as humectants, while oils include plant-based oils and silicones. Surfactants aid cleansing and emulsification, and preservatives maintain product stability. In the case of functional cosmetics, ingredients for ultraviolet protection, whitening, and wrinkle improvement are added. Representative functional ingredients include niacinamide, adenosine, and vitamin C derivatives.
Structure of the Cosmetics Industry
The global cosmetics market has been led by companies such as L'Oréal, Estée Lauder, Shiseido, Amorepacific, and LG Household & Health Care. The industry has a value chain spanning research and development, raw material supply, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing. In recent years, as consumer-customized manufacturing and digital marketing have become more important, the share of online channels has increased significantly. In the case of South Korea, exports have grown under the name K-Beauty, gaining popularity in China, Southeast Asia, and North America.
Cosmetics and Regulation
Cosmetics are subject to strict regulation in each country to ensure consumer safety. In South Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety oversees them, and functional cosmetics must undergo review of their ingredients and efficacy. The European Union has established ethical standards such as prohibiting animal testing for cosmetics, while the United States follows FDA regulations. Recently, there has been a trend toward mandatory ingredient disclosure, and consumers are demanding information on harmful ingredients such as parabens and phthalates.
Recent Trends
In 2024–2025, the cosmetics industry has seen clean beauty and vegan cosmetics become mainstream. Consumers prefer eco-friendly packaging and naturally derived ingredients, and products not tested on animals are valued more highly. Personalized skin diagnostic services using artificial intelligence (AI) are spreading, and the market for "customized cosmetics" that prescribe ingredients suited to an individual's skin condition is growing rapidly. In addition, K-Beauty has solidified into a global trend, and the moist, clear skin expression called "Korean glass skin" has become popular worldwide. However, some cosmetics brands are shifting toward strengthening ingredient safety and transparency amid controversies over detection of carcinogens and concerns about endocrine disruptors.
Related Topics
- [[Basic skincare]]
- [[Color cosmetics]]
- [[K-Beauty]]
- [[Functional cosmetics]]