Nanotechnology is a relatively young discipline which deals with structures of the exact size and shape of which must be measured on a nanometric scale (measuring <100nm). By this time, nanotechnology has proved its worth in the field of medicine and in the delivery of various therapeutic agents and now it is trying to extend its dimensions in to the cosmetic industry by taking the name of nanocosmetics. This widespread use of nano scale materials in cosmetics is due to the fact that these obtain newer properties which differ from the large scale particles. These altered properties include color, transparency, solubility and chemical reactivity, making the nanomaterials attractive to the cosmetics and personal care industries. The application of the nanotechnology has even conquered the herbal cosmetic market leading to the emergence of nano herbal cosmetics. Even though there are such wide spread applications of nanomaterials, especially with respect to cutaneous delivery, recent concerns of safety raised by the media and by various organisations like the Royal Society and the Friends of Earth have forced the cosmetic industries to limit the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics and for enforcing laws to undergo a full-fledged safety assessment before they enter in to the market. In this article, the immense potentials of the nanocosmetics followed by their implications on the health of the consumers and the environment are being reviewed by citing the laws and regulations put forward by the European Union to control the use of nanomaterials in the cosmetic field.
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