SIBL > Science and Technology Information > Cosmetics

How can I keep current with the latest news and information in the cosmetics industry?

Indexes and Abstracts

An index is a print or electronic resource that provides citations to articles published in periodicals, journals or newspapers. Some are general while others are specific in their subject coverage.

An abstract has all the information provided by an index with the addition of a summary of the article.

Note: For additional information on Indexes/Abstracts: see: http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/science/scindexes.htm

Guidelines to formulating a search strategy:

  1. Use AND, OR, NOT to combine your keywords: i.e.

    “Revlon and lipstick” will yield articles with both terms
    “perfumes or fragrances” will yield articles with perfumes or fragrances or both
    “toiletries not toilets” will yield articles with toiletries, but not toilets

  2. Use truncation or wildcards (usually represented by * or ?) to find terms with similar roots:

    E.g. perfume* with yield articles with perfumes, perfumery, perfumeries, etc.

  3. To search a phrase, use quotes: e.g. “skin care”; “hair sprays”

  4. To be more specific in a search, limit the search by:

    Language (e.g. English)
    Date (e.g. last 12 months)
    Type (e.g. industry surveys; company overviews)
    Format (e.g. full text)
    Level (secondary; research)

Selected Electronic Databases Related to Cosmetics

These resources are available in the Rohatyn Electronic Information Center (EIC) at SIBL or are available from home/school/office with an NYPL borrowers card  (*) from the library website, (http://www.nypl.org/databases/index.cfm?act=2&j=home).   See also the Research Libraries listing of online databases: http://www.nypl.org/databases/ for a complete listing of on-site databases.

Note: For additional information on electronic databases, see: http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/science/scieic.htm

  • Applied Science and Technology Abstracts (EIC)
    Articles. Abstract and Index Database. Locate articles in 390 key English language periodicals in applied sciences. Covers engineering, computers, mathematics, physics, energy related topics, chemistry, and data processing. 1983 - Present. Updated: Monthly. Also available in print 1958 - Present. (*R-SIBL Z7913.I7).


  • EBSCOHost (EIC) and (*)
    A family of abstract and full-text databases. Relevant ones include: Academic Search Premier, Business Source Premier, Masterfile Premier, Newspaper Source, Professional Development Collection.

  • General Science Abstracts
    Articles. Abstract and Index Database. Locate articles in periodicals covering astronomy, biology, the environment, conservation, health, microbiology and oceanography, and other subjects. 1984 - Present. Updated: Monthly.

  • PROMT (Predicast Overview of Markets and Technology) (EIC)
    Articles. Full Text and Abstract Database. Use this database to research companies, the products and technologies they produce, and the markets in which they compete. Includes summaries and full text from nearly 1,000 business and trade journals, industry newsletters, newspapers, market research studies, news releases, and investment and brokerage firm reports. 1994 - Present. Updated: Daily.

The following electronic databases also contains relevant articles/reports regarding cosmetics:

  • Business & Company Resource Center (EIC) and (*)
  • Environmental Policy Index (EIC)
  • General BusinessFile ASAP (EIC)

Selected Print Indexes and Abstracts

  • Abstracts in new technologies and engineering (ANTE)[*R-Z7913 .A27]
  • Applied science & technology index [*R-Z7913 .I7 1958-Present]
  • Current contents. Physical, chemical & earth sciences (CC/PC&ES) [*R-Z7143.C85]
  • General science index [*R-Z7401 .G46]