cosmeceutical
n. A pharmaceutical product that provides cosmetic benefits.
Other Forms
Etymology
Examples
1998
Oddly enough, science and beauty have become allies in a field some professionals refer to as "cosmeceuticals." The term was coined by Albert Kligman, the University of Pennsylvania researcher credited with discovering the effectiveness of Retin-A, a vitamin A, in smoothing aging skins.
—Jackie White, “On the face of it,” Kansas City Star, January 25, 1998
1997
Nonetheless, in the burgeoning market of so-called cosmeceuticals, confusion can run rampant. There is a mountain of material from dermatologists attesting to the effectiveness of the products they have developed. But the experts are, after all, the entrepreneurs.

Jean Godfrey-June, the beauty director of Elle magazine, said: "The problem with these vitamin things and with cosmeceuticals in general is that because they aren't regulated, and everyone says their formulation works, you're really at their mercy."
—David Colman, “Old-Fashioned Vitamin C Is the Hot New Beautifier,” The New York Times, September 21, 1997
1985 (earliest)
Dr. Grove also delivered a warning to cosmetic formulators who are creating ‘cosmeceuticals’, cosmetic products which contain actives.
—“Soap, Cosmetics,” Chemical Specialties, October 01, 1985 (OED)
Notes
This is Newport Beach, home of sun lovers and boat lovers, the rich and newly rich and headquarters of Geneve Cosmeceuticals, a Swiss-developed skin care line packaged in frosted glass with gray trim.
—Laura Tuchman, “Geneve cosmetics line believes beauty is more than skin-deep,” The Orange County Register, May 15, 1987
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