**Preface to "High Performance Functional Bio-based Polymers for Skin-contact Products"**

The personal care, cosmetic and biomedical industries deal with high-value and/or large-volume consumption of polymer-based products that are often derived from fossil sources. Although several bio-based alternatives have been the subject of recent research, more effort is still needed to increase their specific functionalities and performances in order to proceed with their true translation into the market. Recently, many researchers, such as those involved in the European POLYBIOSKIN project funded by BBI JU, are working in the field of biomaterials with anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, as well as biobased materials, which are renewable and biodegradable in the environment. Both types can be transformed into final products by innovative technologies, allowing for the control of bulk and surface properties down to the nanostructure. By merging such biomedical functionalities and environmental aspects, new research could have a great impact on skin-contact biomaterials. The present issue aims to gather research and review papers where the attention paid to health and environmental impact is efficiently integrated, thus considering both source and final waste management.

> **Maria Beatrice Coltelli, Serena Danti** *Editors*
