Abstract
Cosmeceuticals are the fastest growing segment of the personal care industry, and a number of topical cosmeceutical treatments for conditions such as photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and hair damage have come into widespread use. In the cosmeceutical arena nanotechnology has played an important role. Using new techniques to manipulate matter at an atomic or molecular level, they have been at the root of numerous innovations, opening up new perspectives for the future of cosmeceutical industry. Nanotechnology-based cosmeceuticals offer the advantage of diversity in products, and increased bioavailability of active ingredients and increase the aesthetic appeal of cosmeceutical products with prolonged effects. However increased use of nanotechnology in cosmeceuticals has raised concern about the possible penetration of nanoparticles through the skin and potential hazards to the human health. This review outlines the different nanoparticles used in various classes of cosmeceuticals, nanotechnology-based cosmeceutical products present in the market, and the potential risk caused by nanoparticles on exposure and recent regulatory steps taken to overcome them.
Highlights
Cosmetics are defined by the FDA as “articles intended to be applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance” [1]
Cosmeceuticals are not categorized by the FDA, but this term is used by skin scientists, physicians, and skin care professionals, to encourage the consumers to continue buying cosmetic products especially antiaging and sunscreen products, marketed by many manufacturers with scientific claims and natural positioning as a way to emphasize that using these products is necessary and natural
Cosmeceutical formulations have expanded from skin to body to hair and a number of topical cosmeceutical treatments for conditions such as photoaging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and hair damage have come into widespread use [6]
Summary
Cosmetics are defined by the FDA as “articles intended to be applied to the human body or any part thereof for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance” [1]. Cosmeceuticals are not categorized by the FDA, but this term is used by skin scientists, physicians, and skin care professionals, to encourage the consumers to continue buying cosmetic products especially antiaging and sunscreen products, marketed by many manufacturers with scientific claims and natural positioning as a way to emphasize that using these products is necessary and natural. The primary advantages of using nanoparticles in cosmeceuticals include improvement in the stability of cosmetic ingredients (e.g., vitamins, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants) by encapsulating within the nanoparticles; efficient protection of the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays; aesthetically pleasing products (e.g., in mineral sunscreens, using smaller particles of active mineral allows them to be applied without leaving a noticeable white cast); targeting of active ingredient to the desired site and controlled release of active ingredients for prolonged effect [10, 11]
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