Behind a bottle, three distinct worlds can be hidden: on one side, cosmetics—immediate beauty allies; on the other, cosmeceuticals—with the promise of a deeper action; and finally, cliniceuticals—the new frontier that integrates clinical research. But where are the boundaries drawn?
“Cosmetics are products designed to cleanse, beautify, or alter the external appearance without changing the structure or functions of the skin,” explains Dr. Eleana Ferrari. “They offer temporary and superficial benefits, such as hydration or evenness. Cosmeceuticals, instead, act as a bridge between cosmetics and drugs: they contain bioactive ingredients in high concentrations, like retinol, hyaluronic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids. Actives that work on specific issues like wrinkles, acne, or discoloration, with a deeper and more targeted effect.”
THE NEXT STEP: CLINICEUTICALS
Unlike cosmeceuticals, cliniceuticals do not stop at a promise of effectiveness. They represent a concrete bridge between cosmetic and drug, as they come with clinical efficacy tests conducted in vivo, validating the results on real patients. This clinical validation makes the concept of a cliniceutical unique and closer to a medical-scientific approach compared to common cosmetic formulations.
HOW THEY WORK ON THE SKIN: DIFFERENCES AND CHARACTERISTICS
To truly understand the difference between cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and cliniceuticals, you have to look at how they interact with our skin. “Cosmetics work on the surface,” the expert continues. “They are valuable allies to improve appearance immediately but do not alter deeper mechanisms. Cosmeceuticals take it a step further: thanks to targeted ingredients, they penetrate beyond the superficial layer and stimulate biological processes such as cell regeneration, collagen production, or neutralization of free radicals. Cliniceuticals, instead, add the value of clinical validation: not only do they contain high concentrations of active ingredients, but they are also backed by study protocols and in vivo tests that demonstrate their effectiveness under real conditions.”
SUMMARY TABLE
| Aspect | Cosmetics | Cosmeceuticals |
|---|---|---|
| Objective | Superficial aesthetic improvement | Deep functional effects on the skin |
| Ingredients | Low or no specific active content | High concentrations of scientific actives |
| Regulation | Regulated as standard cosmetics (e.g. EC Reg. 1223/2009) | Treated as cosmetics despite therapeutic claims |
| Validation | No need for in-depth clinical testing | Often without rigorous clinical verification |
REJUVE CLINICEUTICALS: THE DIFFERENCE THAT MATTERS
Rejuve stands out because it goes beyond the concept of cosmeceutical: its products fall into the cliniceutical category. The line is developed to support and enhance aesthetic medicine treatments, both in the clinic and at home, thanks to high-concentration active formulas validated by in vivo clinical studies.
Dr. Eleana Ferrari, together with other aesthetic medicine professionals, actively participates in the clinical testing phase, applying the products to her own patients and thus helping ensure maximum effectiveness and safety. This distinctive feature makes Rejuve Cliniceuticals a unique brand on the international scene: not only advanced research and development, but also real clinical evidence supporting the results.
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