The methods for assessing the efficieney of 3 kinds of cosmetics,such as sunscreening,skin whitening and hair caring cosmetics,were mainly reviewed in this paper For sunscreeing cosmetics,the assessment methods of protective action from ultraviolet radiation in the range of A and B wavebands were introduced For skin whitening cosmetics,the assessment methods using zoological,cytological and enzymlogical tests were introduced The hair caring cosmetics were discussed concerning the simulated tests of tress and tests (in vitro) It was pointed that,with the increasingly extending manufacture and application of cosmetics for special use,the detection range of their efficiency should be gradually developed from finished products to raw materials,and from animal tests and human body tests to cell tests and tests in vitro for the purpose of advancing the efficiency of detection and reducing the impacts of the cosmetics for special use to consumers