Cosmetics are products designed to improve the appearance and condition of the body. They accomplish this by cleaning, coloring, and moisturizing specific areas of the body, including the skin, nails, hair, lips, and eyes. First used by humans as early as 4000 B.C., cosmetic products have steadily improved over the years. Today, a wide variety of cosmetics are sold representing a multibillion dollar industry.

Cosmetics have been used by humans for centuries. Archeological discoveries indicate that people in prehistoric cultures around the globe colored their faces with pigmented greases and waxes. This was done to improve attractiveness, ward off evil spirits, and during times of war. Ancient people in the Middle east used cosmetics for religious and aesthetic reasons. They also used eye cosmetics to protect the eyes from the sun. The oldest cosmetic product found is a lipstick dating from about 4000 B.C. These early materials were...