Nanomaterials for skin care

Abstract

There are a lot of cosmetic products on the market based on nanotechnology. Those products contain nanomaterials since they have many advantages such as improved delivery of active ingredients, stability and photostability of potentially unstable cosmetic ingredients, increased efficacy and tolerance of the skin for various UV filters. Nanomaterials contribute to easiness of application and aesthetic appearance of final products. Although they offer many possibilities, their use demands caution. Nanoparticles have a large surface to volume ratio leading to their reactivity and alteration in biological activity compared to the parent bulk materials. The shape and size of the particles are the cause if their toxic effects, rather than their chemical properties. There are various nanosystems currently in use, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, and many new ones, waiting to be applied. In this article we are going to introduce those who find an application in personal care products such as: liposomes, niosomes, transfersomes, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric systems, nanocrystals, fullerenes and finally metal oxide nanoparticles.