Nanoparticles for Topical Application in the Treatment of Skin Dysfunctions—An Overview of Dermo-Cosmetic and Dermatological Products

Abstract

Nanomaterials (NM) arouse interest in various fields of science and industry due to their composition-tunable properties and the ease of modification. They appear currently as components of many consumer products such as sunscreen, dressings, sports clothes, surface-cleaning agents, computer devices, paints, as well as pharmaceutical and cosmetics formulations. The use of NPs in products for topical applications improves the permeation/penetration of the bioactive compounds into deeper layers of the skin, providing a depot effect with sustained drug release and specific cellular and subcellular targeting. Nanocarriers provide advances in dermatology and systemic treatments. Examples are a non-invasive method of vaccination, advanced diagnostic techniques, and transdermal drug delivery. The mechanism of action of NPs, efficiency of skin penetration, and potential threat to human health are still open and not fully explained. This review gives a brief outline of the latest nanotechnology achievements in products used in topical applications to prevent and treat skin diseases. We highlighted aspects such as the penetration of NPs through the skin (influence of physical–chemical properties of NPs, the experimental models for skin penetration, methods applied to improve the penetration of NPs through the skin, and methods applied to investigate the skin penetration by NPs). The review summarizes various therapies using NPs to diagnose and treat skin diseases (melanoma, acne, alopecia, vitiligo, psoriasis) and anti-aging and UV-protectant nano-cosmetics.

Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of clays from Durban (South Africa) for applications in cosmetics

“…Given that the healthy skin's pH varies from 4.5 to 5.5 clay samples in this study recorded acidic pH and they may be deemed appropriate for cleansing applications, as there is little chance of a chemical reaction happening when clay samples are applied to the skin 36 . Therefore, the skin remains unharmed when utilizing them as cleansers since highly alkaline cosmetic cleansers possess a significant propensity to prompt skin irritation 37 . They can also damage the stratum corneum's lipid bilayer, which can result in dryness and itching after skin wash 38 .…”

“…36 Therefore, the skin remains unharmed when utilizing them as cleansers since highly alkaline cosmetic cleansers possess a significant propensity to prompt skin irritation. 37 They can also damage the stratum corneum's lipid bilayer, which can result in dryness and itching after skin wash. 38 Matike et al reported that the pH values ranged from 4.5 to 9.5 after examining 40 clay samples that were used in South Africa for cosmetic purposes. 39 In their study, they further revealed that samples used for sunscreens had mean pH values around 6.31 and those used for body beautification had mean pH ranging from 7.4 to 9.5.…”

The Contest of Nanoparticles: Searching for the Most Effective Topical Delivery of Corticosteroids

“…The nanoparticulate systems show great potential in the topical delivery of actives for the treatment of skin diseases. The extensive research from current years supports the increasing interest in various lipid and polymeric nanovectors containing not only corticosteroids, but also many more actives for (trans)dermal delivery [ 83 , 84 , 85 ]. However, there are rather few studies comparing the efficiency of different types of nanosystems for specific drugs.…”

Nano‐invasomes for simultaneous topical delivery of buprenorphine and bupivacaine for dermal analgesia

“…11 The use of nanoparticles in topical formulations enhances the permeation and penetration of bioactive compounds into the deeper layers of the skin. 12 Invasomes are novel lipid-based nanovesicles that can provide better skin penetration compare with conventional liposomes. 13,14 These vesicles are mainly composed of phospholipids, ethanol and terpenes that give soft and flexible properties.…”

“…Nanotechnology is an attractive field of research that fabricates structures on the nanoscale by utilizing novel design, fabrication, characterization and application techniques 11 . The use of nanoparticles in topical formulations enhances the permeation and penetration of bioactive compounds into the deeper layers of the skin 12 . Invasomes are novel lipid‐based nanovesicles that can provide better skin penetration compare with conventional liposomes 13,14 .…”