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What is the difference between Cosmetics and Drugs?

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You would have observed one fact that several medical practitioners or doctors also recommend some creams and soaps to be used in a medical condition. So, why are other cosmetic products not sold on the prescription of a doctor? Let's learn the basic difference between a Cosmetic Product and A Drug.

Cosmetic Product is anything "intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance". e.g., 

  • Soaps
  • Deodorants
  • Lipstick
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste
  • Foundation, etc

Cosmetics don't interfere with any bodily function, so they aren't required to go undergo strict tests to determine their efficacy. As long as it doesn't contain anything harmful or dangerous, cosmetics can be sold with all the required information.

Drug on the other hand is "intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure of any function of the body of man or other animals". e.g.,

  • Anti-aging creams
  • Sunscreens
  • Anti-Dandruff Shampoos, etc 

Because drugs can affect the body on a much deeper level, they need to undergo very strict tests before they can be sold. These tests need to prove the product is both effective and safe. 

That's why brands hate to deal with drugs. They would rather say that something is intended to just beautify skin - even when it affects the body on a deeper layer - and skip the whole drug approval process altogether.

How can one differentiate a cosmetic product from a drug?
There will be times when you would like to differentiate between a cosmetic product and a drug, and you can do it by checking out how it is marketed.

For example, if a bar of soap is marketed as making you feel fresh and smell good, then it's a cosmetic product, but if it is marked as something that will help you get rid of acne, then it is a drug.

Well, it might seem ridiculous, but this is how it is being done these days. 

There are doctors, that are promoting cosmetic products as they get a commission, and then there are companies, that are manufacturing cosmetic products but the market as a drug that can do wonders.

How is intended use established?
Well, we have been talking too much about how cosmetics and drugs are differentiated on intended use, but how is it actually done?

The answer is by checking the ingredients of the product. 

This is because, ingredients that can alter bodily functions may be present in cosmetics products, so the products then automatically are treated as a drug. For Example, you would have heard of some creams that your skin doctor suggests or normally some physicians also suggest. These products are manufactured like normal cosmetic creams but they have some ingredients that have a specific effect on your skin or the area where these are used.

Then calling them a drug is most appropriate.

Conclusion
Determining whether a product is a cosmetic product or a drug can be really confusing. It all depends on the intended usage and not its ingredients alone. 

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