Applications of Natural, Semi-Synthetic, and Synthetic Polymers in Cosmetic Formulations

Margreet Morsink,Taline Almeida,Eliana B Souto,Patricia Severino,Fernando Batain,Classius F Da Silva,Marco V Chaud,Dayane A Fernandes,Thais F R Alves

doi:10.3390/cosmetics7040075

Abstract

Cosmetics composed of synthetic and/or semi-synthetic polymers, associated or not with natural polymers, exhibit a dashing design, with thermal and chemo-sensitive properties. Cosmetic polymers are also used for the preparation of nanoparticles for the delivery of, e.g., fragrances, with the purpose to modify their release profile and also reducing the risk of evaporation. Besides, other cosmetically active nutrients, dermal permeation enhancers, have also been loaded into nanoparticles to improve their bioactivities on the skin. The use of natural polymers in cosmetic formulations is of particular relevance because of their biocompatible, safe, and eco-friendly character. These formulations are highly attractive and marketable to consumers, and are suitable for a plethora of applications, including make-up, skin, and hair care, and as modifiers and stabilizers. In this review, natural synthetic, semi-synthetic, and synthetic polymers are discussed considering their properties for cosmetic applications. Their uses in conventional and novel formulations are also presented.

Highlights

In the 21st century, cosmetic and personal care industries have been increasing rapidly
An overview of the publications about polymers applied in cosmetics was carried out from a for the word “cosmetics” in the title of the papers to ensure that only cosmetics-driven works were search for publications in the Web of Science database by Clarivate Analytics
We searched searching for different polymers, i.e., each polymer name was searched in these 4485 articles, for the word “cosmetics” in the title of the papers to ensure that only cosmetics-driven works were in the title but in any search field

Summary

Introduction

In the 21st century, cosmetic and personal care industries have been increasing rapidly. An overview of the publications about polymers applied in cosmetics was carried out from a for the word “cosmetics” in the title of the papers to ensure that only cosmetics-driven works were search for publications in the Web of Science database by Clarivate Analytics. A nanoemulsion with very small droplet sizes and a narrow distribution, was obtained, depicting the physicochemical and antibacterial stability, as well as the skin permeability, of M. indica kernel extract Aliphatic polyesters, such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA), poly (ε caprolactone) (PCL), and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3 hydroxy valerate), have excellent properties of biodegradability, biocompatibility, and mass producibility. Aliphatic polyesters are receiving attention for the production of microbeads for sustainable cosmetics [9]

Semi-Synthetic Polymers

Natural Polymers

Overview of Polymers Applied to Cosmetics

New Trends in Cosmetics

Findings

Summary and Conclusions