9 - Current status and future prospect of nanotechnology incorporated plant-based extracts in cosmeceuticals

Abstract

Cosmeceuticals are cosmetic products enriched by active constituents that promise several therapeutic beauty outcomes. Phytocompounds incorporated into cosmeceutical formulations are becoming a trend as consumers are demanding a safer approach for their cosmetic regimes. Besides, various phytocompounds have proven to have pharmacological activities that offer antioxidant, anti-acne, wound healing, anti-aging, sun protection, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory benefits. However, phytocompounds are facing topical administration challenges due to poor solubility, instability, reduced skin permeation, and low skin retention time. Therefore, incorporation of nanotechnology with phytocompounds is an innovative approach to overcome these challenges and is expected to achieve a huge demand because the cosmetic industry constantly pursues ground-breaking technological products. The nanotechnology capability to transform phytocompounds into smaller nanoparticles (1–300nm) has the potential to overcome their limitations and effectively deliver them in a controlled manner and achieve successful bioavailability. Therefore, this chapter highlights the potential of several phytocompound-loaded nanocarriers (liposomes, niosomes, ethosomes, phytosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanoparticles) to enhance their potential in the cosmeceutical arena. According to the reviews, the capability of each nanocarrier to enhance the skin permeability rate of phytocompounds resulted in enhanced pharmacological activities, specifically for cosmeceutical applications. Additionally, the nanocosmeceutical toxicity and regulatory concerns are also addressed.