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Skin aging is described as dermatologic changes either naturally occurring over the course of years or as the result of the exposure to environmental factors (e.g., chemical products, pollution, infrared and ultraviolet radiations). The production of collagen and elastin, the main structural proteins responsible for skin strength and elasticity, is reduced during aging, while their role in skin rejuvenation can trigger a wrinkle reversing effect. Elasticity loss, wrinkles, dry skin, and thinning are some of the signs that can be associated with skin aging. To overcome skin aging, many strategies using natural and synthetic ingredients are being developed aiming to reduce the signs of aging and/or to treat age-related skin problems (e.g., spots, hyper- or hypopigmentation). Among the different approaches in tissue regeneration, the use of nanomaterials loaded with cosmeceuticals (e.g., phytochemicals, vitamins, hyaluronic acid, and growth factors) has become an interesting alternative. Based on their bioactivities and using different nanoformulations as efficient delivery systems, several cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical products are now available on the market aiming to mitigate the signs of aged skin.
Figure 1. Applications of nanomaterials in the formulation of cosmetics and other products for topical application and their interaction with everyday human activities. Nanomaterials used in hair and skin care products promote quality of life by offering innovations in a range of applications and enhance sunscreen protection. Nanomaterials are also used as delivery system for a range of active pharmaceutical ingredients to treat several skin pathologies.
Table 1. Anti-aging products available to consumers and their respective purposes.
Brand-Product |
Characteristics and Uses |
Agera®-Nano Eye Lift |
Anti-aging skin care. Make the skin around the eyes softer |
Bionova-Nano Skin Tech Tennis Player Sun and Wind Protection |
Confers UV protection, using nanocomplex of naturally existing UV Chromophores and UV Protectant. Increase the protection against the sun radiation. Widely used in dry skin (nanocomplex of multiple antioxidants, oil, water-soluble vitamins with their specific coenzymes) |
Chantecaille-Nano Gold Energizing Cream |
Anti-aging power due to the incorporation of 24-karat gold and silk bound, together with pullalan/algae and plantago extracts, and other natural antioxidants (vitamin E) and natural oils. Decrease significantly the lines, wrinkles, dullness and the dehydration. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. |
StriVectinTM-Specialised Hand Care System |
Offers specialized hand care, for the treatment of age and/or sun spots, ageing skin, fine Lines and wrinkles. NanoExfoliate action (with thermo-active formula, exfoliate without causing redness or damage on the skin). Hand Cream ultra-concentrated to nourish, protect and hydrate the hand’s skin (contains hyaluronic acid, UV blockers, etc). |
Rosactive® Phytoceutical Skin care-Biomixyl |
Anti-aging line with several products designed to reduce wrinkles and lines by stimulating collagen production, using a bio-peptide complex and natural oils and extracts from several plants. |
Salcura® Natural Skin Therapy—e.g., Bioskin Zeoderm Skin Repair System |
The products consist of natural colloidal solution delivery systems based on biotechnology and nanotechnology. Aimed to treat dry skin and irritation symptoms, uses natural extracts, oils and other ingredients. Used for the treatment of diseases, such as, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and other skin allergies. |
Shakti® Face and Body Resculpting Cream™ |
With encapsulated black currant seed oil (also contains amino-acids, vitamin C, oil from fragrant Bulgarian roses, etc.), to promote natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action, while conferring lifting and moisturizing to the skin from head to toe. |
Nanoceuticals™ Citrus Mint Shampoo |
With nanoscale ingredients (in suspended nanoparticles), allow the scavenging of free radicals, the stimulation of the source energy, increased hydration, the balance of pH, and others. Nanoparticles in the composition provide to the hair a healthy shine. |
Serge Lutens Blusher (Barneys New York®) Nano Dispersion technology |
Make up products produced with resource to nanotechnology. Due to the dispersion technology, this powder has excellent elasticity, extreme softness and light diffusion. |
Apagard® Royal-Sangi |
It is a re-mineralizing toothpaste (contains nano medical hydroxyapatite for protection against caries). Promotes oral health by preventing caries, remineralization and whitening using natural healing. |
Nanomaterials-based products are increasingly growing and reaching different markets over the last few decades, e.g., dermatology, cosmetics, and pharmaceutics. Several types of nanomaterials, e.g., liposomes, niosomes, SLN, NLC, gold nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions, have been proposed for the delivery of cosmetic ingredients, as they are produced from biocompatible materials. The developed nanocosmeceutical shows enhanced stability, biocompatibility, and has a prolonged action and capacity to improve skin delivery of the payload. Nanoemulsions are an example of great improvements in the cosmetic field. Their use in personal care products benefits from the possibility to have a controlled delivery of cosmeceuticals, together with a more uniform delivery onto the skin through the formation of a thin film. Skin aging is a complex process that can be caused by endogenous and/or exogenous factors. Almost 90% of the skin aging processes are caused by the exposure to the UV radiation. The lifestyle is another factor that influences the progression of skin aging (e.g., stress, smoking, sleeping, and alcoholic habits), also the environmental factors (e.g., pollution), malnutrition, and so on. The first signs of skin aging include dry aspect, loss of skin elasticity, and the appearance of wrinkles. It is nowadays possible to prevent and/or delay the first signs of skin aging. The conventional topical formulations (e.g., solution, suspensions, gels, emulsions, powder, and aerosols) are acceptable for topical delivery of active ingredients; however, all these formulations have some limitations and can compromise the safety and/or effectiveness of the treatment. A range of nanomaterials for the delivery of active ingredients have been developed to overcome these limitations. The continuous development of skin products with active ingredients making use of nanomaterials offers innovative alternatives in health and cosmetic care sectors, with beneficial effects to the industry and society.