Nanocosmeceuticals- The Subsequence of Sophisticated Skincare

Abstract

This review article provides an insight into the basics of cosmeceuticals, their role in the pharmaceutical market, along with the incorporation of nanotechnology in cosmeceuticals. Cosmeceuticals are the marketed preparations which are intended to be used on skin, hair, nails and teeth for personalised use, varying according to individuals. On the other hand, nanotechnology is the science related to engineering materials at the nanoscale of 1 to 100 nanometers. The smaller size of these particles will allow for targeted delivery, assisting in the controlled release of the active ingredients. It also helps in the deeper penetration of the formulation for higher pharmacological activity. Nanocarriers like liposomes, niosomes, fullerenes, ethosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, etc. are elaborated here. This review also gives knowledge about the best suitability of a particular nanocarrier, along with the intended active skincare ingredient, along the future innovations of nanocosmeceuticals in the upcoming ages.

Keywords

Introduction

S.no	Nanocarriers	Suitable for	Reference
1	Liposomes	Vitamin Delivery, Moisturization	Figure 1 : Liposomes
2	Niosomes	Stable Best for Herbal actives	Figure 2 : Niosomes
3	Solid Lipid Nanoparticles	Anti-ageing Skin protection	Figure 3 : Solid Lipid Nanoparticles
4	Nanostructure Lipid Carriers	Enhanced skin delivery	Figure 4 : Nanostructure Lipid Carriers
5	Nanoemulsions	Quick absorption	Figure 5 : Nanoemulsions
6	Dendrimers	High precision delivery	Figure 6 : Dendrimers
7	Ethanosomes	Deeper Penetration	Figure 7 : Ethanosomes
8	Transferosome	For larger molecules	Figure 8 : Transfersome
9	Fullerenes	Free radical defence	Figure 9: Fullerenes
10	Gold/Silver Nanoparticles	Brightening, Antimicrobial	Figure 10 : Gold Nanoparticles

Anti-Acne

Safety Challenges

Nanocarriers are great in their use in many domains, particularly in cosmetics. Their benefits are boundless, providing deeper skin penetration, better stability and longer-lasting effects. They also have unique concerns about safety and regulatory hurdles compared to those of conventional cosmetic formulations.20

Safety Concerns

  The main issue of nano cosmeceuticals is that they may have toxicity, especially metal-based nanoparticles like silver, gold, titanium dioxide, which can generate Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause cell damage, inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to several conditions of metal toxicity. Some nanoparticles can accumulate in tissues when used for a long time if it is properly metabolised. The nanocarriers can also deliver to off-target sites, providing altered biodistribution.  When used for a prolonged time, it can have long-term effects on human health. Nanoparticles may tend to accumulate or agglomerate in tissues if used for a chronic period, leading to instability issues. Some nanoparticles, like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide,, can be photo-reactive in UV light, leading to oxidative damage.21

Recent Innovations in Nanocosmeceuticals

There has been a rise in modern technology focusing on innovations in the cosmeceutical industry, which has played a vital role in the controlled release and targeted delivery in designing nanoparticles for Enhanced penetration, antioxidants and Sun protection. There are also emerging applications in the domain of skincare, haircare and anti-ageing. Even though nanotechnology provides numerous benefits, there are still safety concerns which should be addressed in the long run, ensuring the safety and toxicity of the formulations. Recently, the innovations that have grasped the idea of Nanocosmeceuticals include

Smart nano-carriers

Smart nano-carriers are a rising up technology of advanced drug delivery systems which can release loads in response to external stimuli. They help to reduce the systemic toxicity and enhance therapeutic efficacy. They also do provide targeted and controlled release of active ingredients. Among all widely studied types, the advanced ones are pH-responsive and thermo-sensitive nanocarriers. They both have demonstrated significant promise in changing the future of cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications.22

• pH-Stimulated Nanoparticles

The pH- Stimulated Nanocarriers are a significant class of drug delivery which are formulated to release their payload in response to the changes in pH, depending on whether the pH is acidic or basic. Depending on that, the release cargo activates. They can be shaped from polymers, which can also change their physico-chemical properties of the drug. This type of release reduces the off-target effects and increases therapeutic activity.

For example, the external pH of skin without barriers is more acidic (pH~6.5) compared with healthy skin( pH~7.4). Comparatively, the inner compartments containing mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus have even lower pH values. (pH~5.0-6.0)

These types of formulations are constructed with polymeric materials which can swell, degrade or change in their solubility at specified pH values. Polymers such as chitosan, polyhistidine and polyacrylic acid are most commonly used in these systems. When these polymers are introduced in acidic environments, they undergo conformational changes which lead to the release of the encapsulated drug. Concerning Cosmeceuticals, pH- prone delivery can be highly prevalent as it can particularly release the drug on the inflamed acne-prone skin, which has a varied pH compared to that of normal skin, making it beneficial in ensuring the availability of active agents like salicylic acid, niacinamide and retinoids being released only in problem areas.23

• Heat-Sensitive Nanoparticles

Heat-sensitive nanocarriers are a class of nanocarriers which act pharmacologically when there is a thermal change in the environment, which triggers the release of the load. Conveniently, the nanomaterials should retain the drug at a body temperature of 37 °C24

 And also at the variational margins of the temperature. These are engineered to release their content when exposed at temperature thresholds in the range of 40–45°C, which is mainly acclaimed in the treatment of cancer. Materials like poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), which show a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). When the polymer is hydrophobic, it collapses, resulting in drug release. When it comes to insight into dermatology, it can be used to develop skincare products which are active to body heat, like external steaming.

For example, cleansers, anti-ageing and moisturisers can be altered in their formulations by releasing their actives upon skin warming, which can result in leading to absorption and nourishment.25

Green nanotechnology

Green nanotechnology uses environmentally sustainable approaches to create nanoparticle formulations.  The importance of green technology can be understood by understanding the essence of a few articles listed below

Green Nanotechnology: Recent Research on Bioresource-Based Nanoparticle Synthesis and Applications

It provides attention to the growing interest in replacing dangerous chemical synthesis methods with biological resources, such as plant extracts, microbes, and enzymes. This environmentally friendly method improves the biocompatibility of the generated nanoparticles while simultaneously lessening their negative effects on the environment. The synthesis processes and biomedical uses of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as titanium dioxide (TiO?), zinc oxide (ZnO), silver (Ag), and gold (Au). These bio-nanoparticles show great promise in environmental remediation, cancer treatment, and antimicrobial therapy. It also promotes the use of green synthesis techniques in sustainable nanomedicine by highlighting their affordability and scalability. It also highlights difficulties, including control over particle size and shape, purification, and reproducibility.27

Green nanotechnology—An innovative pathway towards biocompatible and medically relevant gold nanoparticles

 A focus on how it can help alleviate the health and environmental issues related to traditional nanomaterial creation. It describes how green nanotechnology combines sustainable engineering and green chemistry concepts to create ecologically friendly and efficient nanomaterials. Green techniques use plant extracts, microorganisms, and biodegradable polymers to create nanoparticles in mild, environmentally friendly circumstances, in contrast to standard methods that frequently use toxic solvents and significant energy usage. The study of bio-inspired synthesis pathways for metal and metal oxide nanoparticles—specifically, silver, gold, and zinc oxide—which are extensively employed in industrial, medical, and environmental applications—is one of the main highlights. The review also looks at the environmental benefits of green nanomaterials, including their low environmental impact, enhanced biodegradability, and decreased toxicity.28

Green Nanotechnology: Advancement in Phytoformulation Research

The relationship between green nanotechnology and phytoformulations—plant-based medicinal formulations improved by nanotechnological innovation. It emphasize how using natural resources including plant extracts, polysaccharides, essential oils, and biopolymers, green nanotechnology provides a sustainable path to creating safer and more efficient nanocarriers. By acting as both stabilizing and reducing agents during the creation of nanoparticles, these biologically derived compounds replace the hazardous reagents frequently employed in traditional procedures. The green-synthesised nanoparticles can improve the pharmacokinetic characteristics of phytochemicals, which frequently have low bioavailability, fast metabolism, and restricted solubility, is one of their strongest points. The detail on different nanoformulations that enhance the controlled release and targeted delivery of herbal actives, such as liposomes, nanoemulsions, and nanocapsules. The usage of these green nanoparticles in fields ranging from dermatology and wound healing to antibacterial and anticancer treatments29

CONCLUSION

The role of cosmeceuticals play an indispensable role in the human community, which helps people to conceal their insecurities by incorporating cosmeceuticals into the form of makeup and skincare. The conventional cosmetics have been used all over the world for centuries inform of remedies and natural pigments. Even in the 1900s, they splurged on the market, attracting women for the benefits they would produce if purchased. A century has marked the end of conventional cosmetics. As more for the future, the market will splurge on more cosmeceuticals, which would provide a greater insight into much greater skin health, aiming for overall skin wellness. Considering all the innovations from the research expertise. Nanocosmeceuticals have paved their way in an intellectual proving to be a smart and effective approach to increase the efficacy of active ingredients 10×, which, with a good marketing strategy and great formulation, can become the face of the future cosmetic world.

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