The biomolecules of beauty: biochemical pharmacology and immunotoxicology of cosmeceuticals

ABSTRACT

Many ingredients in cosmetic products help to develop complex formulations that improve the quality of life in terms of disease prevention, health maintenance, beauty enhancement, and building self-esteem. The beneficial effects promoted from the use of biomolecule-rich substances into the formulations of various topical application products are considered useful ingredients in cosmetic and therapeutic applications. This review article attempts to understand the various biomolecules found in cosmetic products, particularly macromolecules, which may have an important role in prevention or preservation. Increasing demand of cosmetics all over the world has increased the awareness related to safety issue. Cosmetic products may contain potential contact allergens or precursors that can be oxidized or metabolized to generate contact allergens which can potentially cause allergic reactions or dermatitis. These substances can pose hazards to human health due to their ability to activate T cells that can cause allergic contact dermatitis, an inflammatory skin disease. Finally, the simultaneous on-site measurement of different substances from a single sample, called multiplexed point-of-care testing, has recently become increasingly important for the in vitro quantification of pathological or toxicological samples. Hence, the technological advancements in clinical sciences will be helpful in the identification of ingredients in cosmetic preparations.

KEYWORDS:

• Cosmetics
• biomolecules
• biomarkers
• skin allergy
• multiplex assays

Acknowledgment

This review article is dedicated in the memory of my late beloved father. We all miss and remember him so much that life is not the same without him anymore. He was the most precious father and husband, greatest and exceptional mentor, best and loving friend, prodigious and remarkable gentleman, dedicated and devoted teacher, kind and caring doctor, and above all an extraordinary and finest social human being. HA wishes to thank those authors from whose work the various data/tables/figures have been used and adapted. HA also regrets if inadvertently some authors have not been cited in this review article.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.