Nanocosmetics - Types, Advantages, and Risks Involved

What Is Nanocosmetics?

Nanotechnology in the cosmetic formulation is the most emerging technology available. The use of nanoscale-size particles is done to deliver deeper skin penetration, UV protection, long-lasting effects, increased color, finishing, quality, and much more. The latest field applied in cosmetic products is micellar nanoparticles which are widely commercialized in local and international markets. The nanoemulsion system forms small micellar nanoparticles with high surface area and provides effective bioactive component transport on the skin. The nanoemulsion consists of an oil-in-water formulation that is effectively used in cosmetics such as facial cleansers, make-up removers, sunscreens, anti-aging lotions, and water-based cosmetic formulations.

The nanoparticles are carriers that increase formulation and efficacy and promote the controlled release of active ingredients. Nanocarriers and lipid-containing nanocarriers having sunscreens have enhanced ultraviolet protection. Moreover, these nanocarriers protect unstable ingredients from degrading ultraviolet radiation. Also, nanocarriers also impart a moisturizing effect due to their reduced particle size.

What Are the Types of Nanomaterials Used in Cosmetics?

1. Nanometals - Metals such as silver and gold are widely used in the formulation of cosmetics extensively because of their antibacterial effects in some cosmetics, like toothpaste and deodorants. These metals are also used in other industries, and hence, they have high market significance among nanomaterials.

2. Liposomes - These are bilayer vesicles that consist of natural or semisynthetic phospholipids that are evaluated as safe materials in the formulation of cosmetic products. Liposomes play an important role in the delivery of active cosmetic ingredients such as minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-aging materials to biological cells by their fusing to bilayer structures of the skin. The other types of vesicles with effective skin penetrating ability are developed, such as niosomes, transfersomes, and ethosomes.

3. Solid Lipid Nanoparticles - These nanoparticles are nanosized lipid particles with appropriate surfactants containing active ingredients. The solid lipid nanostructures safeguard the encapsulated active ingredients from degradation. These nanoparticles are also used for the formulation of controlled delivery and modification of the skin penetration of active cosmetic ingredients. Various advantages of these nanoparticles include improving skin hydration by cosmetic products and increasing the efficacy of chemical sunscreen active ingredients for sunscreen products.

4. Nanoemulsions - These are nanoscaled drops of a liquid uniformly dissipated in another liquid. These droplets deliver a big contact area with the skin and act as the carrier for active cosmetic ingredients. These products are evaluated as safe for the formulation of cosmetic products. The smaller droplet size of the nanoemulsions provides higher stability and efficiency and also greater transparency.

5. Nanocapsules - Nanocapsules are nanostructures made of polymeric entities distributed in an aqueous or oily phase. The nanocapsule formulations are assessed as carriers for susceptible active agents such as vitamin D or potent cosmetic active ingredients.

6. Other Types of Nanocosmetics - There are other types of nanostructures that have been used in cosmetic formulations, including dendrimers, nanocrystals, cubosomes, buckyballs, and hydrogels. Each of these nanomaterials has extraordinary characteristics in terms of surface area and functional groups, morphology, and skin penetration potential.

What Are the Advantages of Nanotechnology in Cosmetics?

Nanotechnology involves the use of nanocrystals that are sterile drug particles stabilized by surfactants without any surrounding lipid matrix or polymer. The advantage of these nanocrystals over other drug-delivery systems is that they provide enhancements in solubility. It is a fast-growing feasible technology and is nowadays flourishing in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Various poorly soluble compounds are converted into nanocrystals by several techniques, such as solvent evaporation, media milling, and microfluidization. High solubility helps to penetrate these active ingredients into various layers of skin. Literature reports ascertain the solubility enhancement, penetration, and activity enhancement in vivo when applied topically. Cosmetic active ingredients like antioxidants, lutein, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10, and many others are successfully produced as nanocrystals and exhibit improved features.

What Are the Risk Factors of Using Nanocosmetics?

• Several investigators have registered the unwanted penetration of nanoparticles through the skin and systemic circulation.

• It is found that sunscreen products like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles ranging between 10 to 200 nm can penetrate intact skin and inflict biological damage.

• Neurotoxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles has been demonstrated on the neural stem cells of mice in vitro. Also, cytotoxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles has also been reported by some investigators.

• In a recent examination, it has been shown that titanium dioxide nanoparticles possess the potential to induce necrosis and autophagy in the sertoli cells and adversely affect the spermatogenic cells and testicular morphology in zebrafish.

• The penetration of the nanoparticles into deeper viable layers of the skin and general circulation enormously increases by the presence of acne, eczema, wound, UV damage in the skin, and psoriasis.

• Occupational exposure to nanomaterials can occur during the production and handling of the products, and during the use, disposal, or recycling of these products.

• Nanocosmetics have higher toxicity compared to micronized particles, in large part due to their increased penetration potential in tissues and living cells.

• The various ways of exposure to nanomaterials are ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption.

• Furthermore, nanocosmetics have some environmental risks. Release of nanoparticles into the air, water, and soil in adequate amounts during manufacture, use, or disposal \’an cause some environmental issues.

• Nanocosmetics with antibacterial effects interfere with the useful bacterial system in natural ecosystems.

• Some of the nanocrystals can bind to air adulterants such as cadmium or petrochemicals and transport them to long-range distances.

• In the climax, all these issues should be taken into relation in the formulation, use, and disposal of nanocosmetics.

Conclusion:

Nanocosmetics are increasingly popular due to their many benefits. Figuring out nanocarrier properties is a complicated and costly job that needs experts with expertise in nanotechnology as well as requiring a high asset in the development of nanotechnology-based products. After deciding the suitable nanocarrier, its preparation method, composition, and characterization must be accomplished. Thereafter, nanocosmetics containing nanocarriers must be assessed by considering biological tests to ensure an adequate and safe product. Finally, there is a trend to use biocompatible elements as well as the use of natural ingredients in nanocarriers. An association of multifunctional elements is also noted. Hence, multifunctional nanocosmetics depict a great choice to improve the performance of cosmetics.