Nowadays, the word cellulite is used as a colloquial non-medical term to describe the uneven appearance of the skin surface in the affected areas, reminiscent of an orange peel. It is the result of various complex processes in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It affects most women in the post-pubertal period. In this diploma thesis we focused on the study of anti-cellulite cosmetic products, with an emphasis on the comparison of the products of lower to middle and higher price range. We aimed to evaluate their efficacy based on incorporated cosmetically active ingredients, efficacy claims and available data on various studies, performed to support these claims with relevant evidence. Compared to cosmetics of a higher price range, we determined a higher average share of cosmetically active ingredients in the relation to the total number of ingredients in selected cosmetic products of lower to middle price range (listed in the first quarter, first third or first half of the list of ingredients). From this data alone we cannot make any conclusion on the exact mass content of cosmetically active ingredients in selected products. As cosmetically active ingredients differ in their efficacy, the type of included cosmetically active ingredients is also of high importance. Compared to cosmetic products of lower price range, we found more lipolytic cosmetically active ingredients in the products of higher price range. Excluding aforementioned exception, the price range of cosmetic products did not significantly affect the choice of cosmetically active ingredients, as most of them were present in all products. The most common cosmetically active ingredients of selected products are caffeine and seaweed extracts. Based on the review of the manufacturer's claims on the effectiveness of cosmetic products, mainly performance claims and ingredient-related claims were found, which is in line with our expectations. Claims about the ability of the product to firm or smooth the skin surface are the most common in products of the lower or middle price range. On the other side, claims that directly describe the ability of the cosmetic product to improve the visible signs of cellulite dominate among more expensive cosmetics. Together with claims relating to the reduction of circumference of certain body parts or the reshaping of the silhouette, they stand out the most and are more common int the advertising of the reviewed products of higher price range. Available information on the performed efficacy test of the cosmetic products were deficient, regardless of the price range of the cosmetic product. We thus compared the number of participants and the duration of testing in addition to the types of performed study, as identified based on the given results. It should be noted that clinical testing with self-evaluation of participants was most often used to assess the efficacy of lower or middle price range cosmetics, while clinical instrumental studies were mostly used to evaluate higher price range cosmetic products. Greater representation of lipolytic cosmetically active ingredients, direct claims of improvement in cellulite-related visual changes on the skin, and more objective methods used for evaluating the efficacy of the cosmetic products speak in favour of products of a higher price range. However, the better performance of the latter cannot be confirmed with certainty solely based on a review of available data, which is often deficient.
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