Cosmetic science, also known as cosmetology, is an applied science focused on studying and developing products for various body parts, including hair, face, skin, and nails. Cosmetic science involves various major branches of science, such as chemistry, physics, biology, and marketing. Chemistry, for example, deals with the basic composition of cosmetic products, whether natural or synthetic. Chemistry further includes two major branches: raw materials and formulations. Raw materials involve ingredients used in cosmetic products, including functional, aesthetic, and claims ingredients. Formulation deals with how these ingredients are combined into one formulation that is feasible to use.
Physics, on the other hand, encompasses some important topics, such as the principle of light reflection for color mixtures and formulations, colloidal properties in cleansing products, and the physics of energy absorption and reflection in sunscreens. Biology is also important in cosmetic science as the products are applied to the skin's surface. Therefore, biology deals with basic skin, hair, and nail biology. Lastly, marketing, which falls beyond the realm of standard science, plays a crucial role in cosmetic science as it deals with marketing cosmetic products to consumers and receiving feedback from them, which ultimately helps with improving the existing products.