Skin Care Products for Healthy and Diseased Skin

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Biopharmaceutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 5794

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacy, Singidunum University, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: skin delivery; dermal delivery; transdermal delivery; nanocarriers; liposomes; penetration enhancer
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The skin represents the largest organ in humans, and it covers the whole body. It is the body's first line of defense against undesired influences from the environment caused by exogenous substances. Thus, maintaining skin health is of crucial importance and necessitates a multifaceted approach.

Healthy and diseased skin require distinct yet essential skincare approaches to maintain their wellbeing and address specific concerns. Therefore, skin care products for healthy and diseased skin overlap somewhere, but they also differ because they address different needs and concerns.

In the case of healthy skin, skin care products are used for the delivery of actives to the skin with the aim to maintain the skin's barrier function, minimizing the disruption of the stratum corneum and the acid mantle. Furthermore, skin care products should be used to provide protection against harmful UV rays, preventing premature aging and reducing the risk of skin cancer.

In contrast to healthy skin, diseased skin (e.g., Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, etc.) demands a rigorous clinical approach, i.e., the use of specialized skin care products besides prescription medications based on corticosteroids, retinoids, antibiotics, etc. Even systemic immunosuppressants could be warranted in severe cases.

Besides conventional products, innovative skincare products are continually emerging to respond to the diverse needs of both healthy and diseased skin. Various new skin-friendly emulsifiers (e.g., natural emulsifiers) and new actives (e.g., different plant extracts, etc.) for skin care have emerged in recent years. Emulsifier-free creams, such as derma membrane structure creams, with a physical structure similar to the skin barriers, are becoming popular as vehicles for modern skincare preparations. Pioneering research into the skin's microbiome underscores the significance of symbiotic microorganisms in dermatological health and disease; thus, microbiome-balancing products containing prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are used to support a healthy skin ecosystem. Furthermore, DNA repair serums containing enzymes and peptides designed to repair DNA damage in the skin, caused by UV exposure and ageing, have been developed. In addition, skincare products designed to protect against blue light damage have also emerged. A hotspot in recent years has been skin care products with nanoparticle-based carriers for pharmaceutical and cosmetic active ingredients, which enhance skin delivery and the efficacy of drugs while minimizing their side effects.

Thus, with this Special Issue, we aim to highlight current progress in the use of conventional skin care products, as well as to represent novel approaches based on multifunctional modern skin care products.

Dr. Nina Dragićević
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • skin care products
  • skin delivery
  • healthy skin
  • diseased skin
  • nanoparticle-based products
  • natural emulsifiers

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1254 KiB  
Article
Wrinkle Reduction Using Tetrapeptide-68 Contained in an O/W Formulation: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
by Sung-Gyu Lee, Sang-Moon Kang and Hyun Kang
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(8), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16080987 - 25 Jul 2024
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Peptides, composed of 2–50 amino acids, have gained attention in anti-aging treatments due to their high safety, low irritation, and cost-effective production. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-wrinkle efficacy of Tetrapeptide-68, derived from the skin structural protein Loricrin, on periorbital wrinkles in [...] Read more.
Peptides, composed of 2–50 amino acids, have gained attention in anti-aging treatments due to their high safety, low irritation, and cost-effective production. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-wrinkle efficacy of Tetrapeptide-68, derived from the skin structural protein Loricrin, on periorbital wrinkles in women aged 30–65 years. A 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted with 25 participants who applied the Tetrapeptide-68 (100 ppm) O/W formulation around the eyes. Skin physiological parameters were assessed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Participants also completed efficacy and usability questionnaires. Significant improvements in wrinkle reduction were observed with Tetrapeptide-68 cream treatment, as measured by various skin roughness parameters and 3D imaging analysis. Participants reported positive changes in skin texture and moisture levels, with no adverse reactions noted. Tetrapeptide-68 cream demonstrates promising anti-wrinkle effects, highlighting its potential as an effective ingredient in anti-aging skincare formulations. Further studies are recommended to explore its long-term benefits and underlying mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Care Products for Healthy and Diseased Skin)
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14 pages, 346 KiB  
Article
Valorisation of Raspberry Seeds in Cosmetic Industry-Green Solutions
by Ivanka Ćirić, Dragana Dabić Zagorac, Milica Sredojević, Milica Fotirić Akšić, Biljana Rabrenović, Stevan Blagojević and Maja Natić
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(5), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050606 - 29 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1066
Abstract
The fruit processing industry generates large quantities of by-products well known to be rich in bioactive compounds with numerous nutritional properties and beneficial effects for human health. We developed a strategy to valorise raspberry seeds and obtain valuable ingredients with potential application in [...] Read more.
The fruit processing industry generates large quantities of by-products well known to be rich in bioactive compounds with numerous nutritional properties and beneficial effects for human health. We developed a strategy to valorise raspberry seeds and obtain valuable ingredients with potential application in cosmetic skincare formulas. Cold press extraction technology was applied to extract oil, and the remaining defatted raspberry seed cake was treated with three proline based deep eutectic solvents (DES) to extract polyphenols. The most potent was proline/citric acid extract, with free and total ellagic acid content (52.4 mg/L and 86.4 mg/L), total phenolic content (TPC, 550.1 mg GAE/L) and radical scavenging activity (RSA, 4742.7 mmol TE/L). After the direct mixing of the extract and after encapsulation with starch as a carrier, the skincare emulsion and microemulsion were characterised by irritation potential (Zein test), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), red blood cell (RBC), and DPPH antioxidant test. The resulting preparations were of improved quality in comparison to the control hand cream, with a low skin irritation effect, lower TEWL, and higher antioxidant potential. This work complies with circular economy principles and green technology standards, and represents the efficient model on how to reuse natural resources through waste minimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Care Products for Healthy and Diseased Skin)
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Review

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26 pages, 2224 KiB  
Review
Mechanism, Formulation, and Efficacy Evaluation of Natural Products for Skin Pigmentation Treatment
by Xueli Peng, Yuning Ma, Chenxin Yan, Xiaocen Wei, Linlin Zhang, Hehe Jiang, Yuxia Ma, Suohui Zhang, Mengzhen Xing and Yunhua Gao
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(8), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16081022 - 1 Aug 2024
Viewed by 395
Abstract
Skin pigmentation typically arises from the excessive secretion and accumulation of melanin, resulting in a darker complexion compared to normal skin. Currently, the local application of chemical drugs is a first-line strategy for pigmentation disorders, but the safety and efficacy of drugs still [...] Read more.
Skin pigmentation typically arises from the excessive secretion and accumulation of melanin, resulting in a darker complexion compared to normal skin. Currently, the local application of chemical drugs is a first-line strategy for pigmentation disorders, but the safety and efficacy of drugs still cannot meet clinical treatment needs. For long-term and safe medication, researchers have paid attention to natural products with higher biocompatibility. This article begins by examining the pathogenesis and treatment approaches of skin pigmentation diseases and summarizes the research progress and mechanism of natural products with lightening or whitening effects that are clinically common or experimentally proven. Moreover, we outline the novel formulations of natural products in treating pigmentation disorders, including liposomes, nanoparticles, microemulsions, microneedles, and tocosomes. Finally, the pharmacodynamic evaluation methods in the study of pigmentation disorder were first systematically analyzed. In brief, this review aims to collect natural products for skin pigmentation treatment and investigate their formulation design and efficacy evaluation to provide insights for the development of new products for this complex skin disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Care Products for Healthy and Diseased Skin)
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54 pages, 3711 KiB  
Review
Liposomes and Other Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: Improved Therapeutic Efficacy and Skin Tolerability
by Nina Dragicevic and Howard I. Maibach
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(3), 309; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16030309 - 22 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3146
Abstract
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatologic disorder that affects approximately 85% of teenagers, which significantly impacts the quality of life in adolescents. It is a chronic disease of the sebaceous follicles that is multifactorial in etiology. Topical treatment is the first choice for [...] Read more.
Acne vulgaris is a common dermatologic disorder that affects approximately 85% of teenagers, which significantly impacts the quality of life in adolescents. It is a chronic disease of the sebaceous follicles that is multifactorial in etiology. Topical treatment is the first choice for mild and moderate acne, while systemic therapy is reserved for severe and certain moderate cases. Topical treatments include retinoids (e.g., tretinoin and adapalene), antibiotics (e.g., clindamycine), and other agents (e.g., benzoyl peroxide and azelaic acid), often applied in combination. The mechanisms of action include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and keratolytic activities, as well as sebum secretion reduction, and the normalization of follicular keratinization. However, these topical agents commonly induce side effects, such as dryness, burning, stinging, peeling, redness, erythema, and photosensitivity. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the side effects of anti-acne drugs, while maintaining or enhancing their therapeutic effectiveness. This article aims to comprehensively outline nanotechnology strategies, particularly the use of phospholipid-based nanocarriers like liposomes and related vesicles, to enhance therapeutic efficacy, skin tolerability, and patient compliance in the treatment of acne vulgaris. In addition, novel active ingredients encapsulated in vesicles beyond those recommended in official guidelines are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Care Products for Healthy and Diseased Skin)
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