According to the European Commission Dir. 93/35/EEC, Art. 1, a cosmetic product is defined as ‘any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance and/or correcting body odour and/or protecting them or keeping them in good condition’ [EU, 1993a].

This definition gives an indication on the target site of application of a cosmetic product and on its allowed functions [Colipa, 2004]. Thus, products such as skin creams, lotions, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial make-up preparations, soap products, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colours, toothpastes, deodorants, fall under the category of cosmetic products in the EU.

More questionable product types such as suntanning preparations, antiperspirants and antidandruff shampoos are also considered cosmetics within Europe, whereas this may differ in other parts of the world [Pauwels and Rogiers, 2004].

Source: Safety Assessment of Cosmetics in Europe - Vera Rogiers and Marleen Pauwels

According to the REGULATION (EC) No 1223/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL a cosmetic products may include creams, emulsions, lotions,
gels and oils for the skin, face masks, tinted bases (liquids, pastes, powders), make-up powders, after-bath powders, hygienic powders, toilet soaps, deodorant soaps, perfumes, toilet waters and eau de Cologne, bath and shower preparations (salts, foams, oils, gels), depilatories, deodorants and anti-perspirants, hair colorants, products for waving, straightening and fixing hair, hair-setting products, haircleansing products (lotions, powders, shampoos), hairconditioning products (lotions, creams, oils), hairdressing products (lotions, lacquers, brilliantines), shaving products (creams, foams, lotions), make-up and products removing make-up, products intended for application to the lips, products for care of the teeth and the mouth, products for nail care and make-up, products for external intimate hygiene, sunbathing products, products for tanning without sun, skin-whitening products and anti-wrinkle products.