Cosmetics Industry

Cosmetic and “Cosmeceutical” Products

Today, there is a vast scope of cosmetic products sold to women and men around the world. Cosmetic products sold to women include those associated [Page 346]with skin (such as creams, lotions and skin lightening products), hair (shampoos, conditioners, mousse, hair spray, hair dyes, permanent wave solutions, and hair straightening products), nails (nail polish and artificial nails), bathing (bath oils and bubble baths), in addition to the variety of face paints and powders known as “makeup” (lipstick, eyeliner, mascara, concealer, foundation, face powder, blush, and eye shadow). Cosmetic products sold to men (which also have women's versions) have until recently been limited to hair products, fragrances, deodorants, shaving products, mouthwashes, and sunscreens.

However, with changing conceptions of masculinity in the 2000s (such as the rise of the “metrosexual” man in urban North America and Europe who takes great care with his appearance) products sold to men today include eye gel, exfoliating facial scrubs, and even face paints and powders such as brow and eyelash gel, eye shadow, eyeliner, lip gloss, and concealer. To avoid unduly blurring prevailing conceptions of gender difference (and the reduced appeal to many male consumers such blurring might entail), these products are usually marketed as “skin care” or “grooming products” rather than cosmetics or makeup. Although some of the above products for women and men are used for bodily cleanliness, soap itself is not considered a cosmetic. In addition to selling more products to men, the cosmetics industry has expanded in recent years by offering an increasingly wide scope of products dubbed “cosmeceuticals.”

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