Cosmeceuticals: A Review of Their Use for Aging and Photoaged Skin

Cosmeceuticals are popular agents present in many cosmetics that provide beneficial physiologic effects but are not considered true pharmaceuticals. Their sales represent the largest growth segment of the skin care market, with products increasingly available in dermatologists’ offices. We review the use of cosmeceuticals in the treatment of aging and photoaged skin. These agents function to reverse clinical signs of aging by serving as antioxidants, targeting extracellular matrix proteins, and modulating cellular signaling pathways involved in the aging process.