How is "cosmetic" defined?

The definition of "cosmetic" primarily focuses on a substance applied to the body to enhance appearance. This encompasses a wide range of products, including makeup, skincare items, and any formulations designed to improve or alter the visual aspect of the skin, hair, and nails. The purpose of cosmetics is to provide aesthetic benefits rather than therapeutic effects.

While there are other categories of products, such as medical treatments or natural skincare lines, these do not fit the broad and inclusive definition of cosmetics. For instance, a product designed specifically for treating skin conditions would be classified as a medication or therapeutic rather than a cosmetic. Similarly, a strict definition requiring only natural ingredients limits the category and does not account for many effective and widely-used cosmetic products that contain synthetic components. The mention of permanent hair alteration methods, like certain hair dyes or treatments, also falls outside the typical understanding of cosmetics, which primarily focuses on topical applications aimed at beautification rather than structural or permanent changes.