The Chemistry of Cosmetics Free Essay Example

Lundov, M. D., Moesby, L., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J. D. (2009). Contamination versus preservation of cosmetics: a review on legislation, usage, infections, and contact allergy. Contact Dermatitis , 60 (2), 70-78.

The production and manufacture of cosmetics have always been shrouded in mystery. Lundov, Moesby, Zachariae, and Johansen examine contaminations in cosmetics that put consumers at risk. According to Lundov et al. (2009), cosmetics containing high content of micro-organisms can alter cosmetics contents risking the health of users. The article shows that micro-organisms such as pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus are frequently discovered in cosmetics. One of the preservatives used by manufacturers to preserve cosmetics is formaldehyde, compositions that cause severe threats to users. The over-preservation of cosmetics poses a danger to consumer’s health, further putting their lives at risk.

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The source is critical and analyses an aspect of cosmetics that is frequently ignored by users. According to the authors, relevant legislations need to be put in place to regulate the use of preservatives and chemicals that may pose health risks to users.

Zainy, F. M. A. (2019). Determination of Some Toxic and Nontoxic Metals on Cheaper Brands of Cosmetic Products. Journal of Biochemical Technology , 10 (3).

The continued expansion of the cosmetics industry has given rise to cheap products entering the markets. Zainy undertakes a study to examine the toxic level, especially of non-toxic metals in eye shadow cosmetic products. According to the author, some cosmetic products have a high concentration of toxic metals (Zainy, 2019). For example, eye shadow products have a high concentration of AI reaching levels of 2484.38ppm. Other eye products such as the white and gold eye shadow have a high concentration of AI and Fe concentrations of up to 1745.27 and 1943.87 ppm.

The research is not only credible but also entails verified information arising from the study. The author used a scientific method of collecting the samples and undertook a comprehensive investigation into the availability of toxic elements in cheap cosmetic brands.

The author argues that women should avoid using cheap brands that have high levels of toxic chemicals that may damage one’s health.

Chaudhri, S. K., & Jain, N. K. (2014). History of cosmetics. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutics (AJP): Free full text articles from Asian J Pharm , 3 (3).

Chaudhri and Jain trace the history of the cosmetic industry, arguing that the term "cosmetae" was derived from the Roman slaves who were tasked with bathing women and men in perfume. The authors take an in-depth look into the gradual evolution of the cosmetic industry from the 10,000 BC when women and men applied scented oils to soften and clean their body odor. Over the years, the use of these scented oils was gradually changed and made in various modes such as powder, almonds, and ash (Chaudhri & Jain, 2014). Ash and powder were applied to the skin and paintings done all over the body. These were used to reduce the sun's glare to protect the skin from sun rays.

The article is historical and provides a detailed gradual growth and manufacture of commercial cosmetics that are currently in the market. From the Egyptians ochre, burnt almonds, to crushed antimony, the author is categorical how the market and manufacturers changed the content of cosmetics to what is currently in the market. The authors further reinstate that the strong influence of westernization and growing media has stimulated increased awareness of cosmetic use in the market. As of 1996, the authors argue that there were over six million users dependent on cosmetics for personal hygiene.

Garrett, A. W., & Orth, D. S. (2016). A History of Cosmetic Microbiology in the United States. In Cosmetic and Drug Microbiology (pp. 33-44). CRC Press.

The majority of workers in the cosmetic industry in the US acquired cosmetic knowledge from Asia and Europe. From Koch’s germ theory, to Jenner’s vaccination, and later Lister’s pasteurization, a strong basis for the expansion of microbiology in the early years of the 19th century was founded. The authors argue that the late 1800 and early 1900 saw a rapid understanding of micro-organisms in ailments. According to Garret and Orth (2016), the developments were mainly confirmed by the identification and isolation of bacteria and viruses that contributed to many critical ailments.

The authors present a robust and critical scientific knowledge on the role of micro-organisms in the development of cosmetics. From the germ theory to vaccination and later sterilization, the role of micro-organisms played a crucial part in the development of some cosmetic products. The article is critical as it provides details of how the development in germ theory, vaccination, and pasteurization contributed to the cosmetics industry.

Frisby, C. M. (2019). Black and Beautiful: A Content Analysis and Study of Colorism and Strides toward Inclusivity in the Cosmetic Industry.

Frisby’s study focuses on exploring colorism in the cosmetic sector. The research is in light of numerous marketing forums such as social media that include Twitter and Facebook in addition to online retail stores. The article offers a snapshot of the advancement of color provided ground for the beauty sector. The researcher used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test in analyzing the brands (Frisby, 2019). Other tests included the Chi-Square goodness of fit test that offered an insight into multiple shades used in various beauty products.

From the tests and overall research, the researcher concluded that women of color had faced many challenges that include accepting their dark skin color and attempting to use various shades to change their skin to the acceptable light skin that was considered as beauty. According to the author, the use and evolution of cosmetics started during the early years of slavery when light skin was deemed as beautiful while dark skin, ugly. The cosmetic industry has thus increased the basis of what beauty entails with colorization used as a mark of beauty.

Regazzo, S. (2019). THE COSMETIC MARKET: THE SUCCESS OF ITALIAN COSMETIC INDUSTRY (Bachelor's thesis, Università Ca'Foscari Venezia).

Despite the recession’s adverse effects, the cosmetic industry has grown in bounds with an increased room of expansion. The use of cosmetic products has no doubt revolutionized the market, with women being the primary target. At the same time, the author argues that the sector has stood firm despite changes in market dynamics that have seen new technologies and products enter the market (Regazzo, 2019). According to the author, the strength of the cosmetics industry in Italy has been supported by numerous factors chief among them is the ready market.

The article offers credible information on the rapid and steady development of the industry, with key players contributing to the same with new products and new ways of attracting and retaining customers. With numerous companies yet to make an entry into the industry, the cosmetics sector is yet to experience rapid growth and expansion. The author presents details and information on locations such as Milan, Bergamo, and Crema that are famous in the production and exporting of cosmetic products.

Umemura, M., & Slater, S. (2017). Reaching for global in the Japanese cosmetics industry, 1951 to 2015: the case of Shiseido. Business History , 59 (6), 877-903.

The article investigates the numerous aspects that have contributed to the internationalization of the Japanese cosmetic sector. From 1951 to 2015, the Japanese cosmetic industry has experienced rapid expansive growth in the beauty sector with a particular market focus on Asia. The article provides a multifaceted description of the various factors that could have contributed to this phenomenon in the past few years.

The researcher uses the Shiseido case study as an example and highlights the highly-textured account rooted in the simple comprehension of the large Japanese cosmetic sector. The article is fundamental as it offers a clear description of how and why the industry has evolved to its current state. Umemura and Slater (2017) highlight the challenges that have been experienced in the sector that include cross-border acquisitions and mergers, among other factors such as regionalization.

Chang, D. R. (2018). Cosmetics: Men get it too.

The common perception that a man should appear manly is gradually fading. In Asia, men are finding their place, conscious of how they want to look. Men are no longer afraid to express themselves, and so the manly “macho” image is no longer a priority for many. According to Chang (2018), the cosmetic sector has taken note of this trend and has introduced numerous beauty products, especially for men in the market. However, the stability of sales for men’s products has not been very steady.

According to Chang (2018), the perception is still receiving mixed reactions, with many still yet to adapt to the beauty aspect in men. The article offers a critical look into the growth and expansion of the cosmetic industry, focusing on men’s beauty products such as lotions, lip balm, and grooming products. The critical analysis is not only eye-opening but also provides an in-depth look into how men’s entry into the beauty product has revolutionized the cosmetic industry.

Bosiu, T., Chinanga, F., Das Nair, R., Mondliwa, P., Phiri, M., & Ziba, F. (2017). Growth and Development in the Cosmetics, Soaps and Detergents Regional Value Chains: South Africa and Zambia.

Bosiu et al. (2017) research on cosmetics, detergents, and soaps value chain in Zambia and South Africa. The study is mainly due to the increased demand for cosmetics and beauty products, rapid urbanization, and increased rising populations. The article analyzes the continued reliance on beauty products and increased requests for the same in regional markets.

The research provides for an in-depth investigation of inter-regional trade for products that originate from as far as Asia that have dominated the SADC markets for long. It is a credible and essential source as it highlights the growth and expansion of cosmetics into the African continent. According to the author, Africa has become a destination for cheap cosmetics, a trend that has seen increased complications on the user's health.

Sosewee, W. (2017). Cosmetics and Toiletries Market Growth In Economic Downturn. Available at SSRN 2914215 .

Despite economic downturns, the cosmetic sector is multiplying and expanding at a high rate. The research provides an overview of the elastic demand of France’s cosmetic consumption, mainly those imported from the United States. The study uses data that span from 201 to 2015. With the economy underperforming and income per capita on the decrease, the cosmetic industry is still active and showing signs of growth and expansion.

The article is vital as it provides numerous reasons behind the continued growth of the sector that include expanding market, ready market, and increased marketing, especially online retailing. Asian countries have continued to experience rapid growth and expansion with increased expansion of their distribution channel. It traces the reasons behind the development of the cosmetic sector despite economic downturns providing important data and details in the cosmetic sector.

Kefi, H., Indra, S., & Abdessalem, T. (2017). Social media marketing analytics: a multicultural approach applied to the beauty\& cosmetic sector. arXiv preprint arXiv:1702.01676 .

Kefi, Indra, and Abdessalem (2017) analyses marketing analytics used in French and Arabian Facebook pages. The two were produced and published by global beauty and cosmetics. The research attempts to identify the most viewed and liked posts in addition to the most influential to users. The authors identify the brand pages concerning how users interact with the marketing strategies used in the posts. The identified communities are those fashioned around socialization posts that are mainly product line based.

According to the authors, social media marketing has been one of the driving forces behind the expansion of the cosmetic industry in France and Asia. Continued personalization of social media posts has played a vital role in ensuring that cosmetic products remain favorites among the young generation who are active online participants.

Ismail, A. (2018). International Marketing Strategies in the Celebrity Cosmetics Industry: A Dual Case Study: Huda Beauty and Fenty Beauty.

The rise and continued use of social media continue to play a critical role in the expansion of the cosmetic and beauty products industry. According to the article, various strategic marketing methods have been deployed to expand and grow the cosmetic industry. Since the establishment of social media, the cosmetic industry has continued to grow and develop courtesy of increased social media usage. According to the authors, social media platforms play a critical role in reaching an extensive network of users, especially among the younger population.

The study provides an insight into the cosmetic industry and picks out the main characteristics of social influencers that have continued to boost the cosmetic industry. The primary objective of the study is to investigate how celebrities are shaped, and influencers continue to use social media as a marketing ground (Ismail, 2018). The study concludes that social media is essential for the promotion of the cosmetic industry and that influencers are playing a critical role in consumers' decision making in as far as purchasing cosmetic products. The article is an essential source as it gives an investigative overview of how beauty products have endeavored and increased in the market.

Arie, S. (2017). Cosmetic industry regulation is only skin deep. Bmj , 357 , j3047.

Arie (2017) argues that it is high time legislations are put in place to protect the gullible market and the high number of users who are applying and using cosmetic products to enhance their skin and body. According to the author, more and more people are being duped into taking cosmetic procedures and using cosmetic products to enhance their products. The author argues that this trend is exposing a large number of people to numerous health risks.

At the same time, the author argues that unqualified personnel are getting into the industry posing as professionals and endangering other’s lives (Arie, 2017). Without control, the cosmetic industry will endanger a large number of users. The author laments that it is sad that there are no regulations in place to check the industry. It is an important report and highlights on the unknown dangers many are exposed to despite numerous evidential occurrences in users.

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