Chapter 1 - Introduction to nanotechnology in personal care products

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the most groundbreaking area of research, which has outstretched its arms in various aspects of science. In this expedition of novel nanoscience, the cosmeceutical industries and researchers are also running in a similar pace. Cosmeceuticals are always observed as the profligate emergent fragment of the personal care product trade, and their utilization has radically taken an upward drift over the past few years. Nonetheless, there have always been some downsides and problems associated with the conventional cosmeceutical products or delivery systems. To overcome definite shortcomings related to these traditional cosmeceuticals, the introduction of “nanotechnology” in this arena was of utmost prominence. Nanotechnology has occupied its role in almost all set of products that are associated with personal care, viz. skin care, oral hygiene or dental care, hair care, nail, lips and eye care, and even personal hygiene products. Owing to the incorporation of nanotechnology in such stuffs, their certain conventional properties have been cured so as to get improved consequences with minimal or negligible side effects. The nanobased cosmeceuticals can be used for a wide range of active ingredients (both hydrophilic and lipophilic), to attain the controlled release of the actives, augmentation of penetration properties, elevated stability with better elegancy, and targeted delivery and also to achieve sustained effects. Moreover, the use of nanocosmeceuticals has also fruitfully reduced some of the dermatological hazards that are associated with conventional cosmetics. The nanocosmeceutical and personal care products have gained a colossal attention in the management of numerous skin conditions like wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation and photo-damage, under-eye dark circles, and various kinds of hair and dental problems. Apart from all these aspects related to the nanocosmeceuticals, the current chapter also puts a highlight on the various novel carriers that are potentially being used or under research along with their probable mechanism of their action on our skin eventually leading to potential aid in this sector.