Liposomes in skincare – Complete Guide
Liposomes are nanocarriers in cosmetics. They are spherical vesicles composed of phospholipids with a core that can be used as a delivery vehicle for actives.
Table of Contents
Why are liposomes used in cosmetics?
The skin barrier is the largest organ in our body and it can prevent a lot of external pollutants, even skincare ingredients to penetrate into the skin. Liposomes can transport these ingredients to the deeper layers of the skin.
Different types of nanocarriers in cosmetics:
- Liposomes
- Nanospheres
- Nanoemulsion
- Cubosomes
- Nanosilver and Nanogold
- Dendrimers
- Hydrogels, etc.
Nanotechnology in liposomes:
Nanotechnology can increase stability, efficacy, control release, target specific areas, and transport active ingredients.
Advantages of Liposomes:
- Increase stability and efficacy
- Biocompatible and biodegradable
- It helps in a controlled release
- It can enhance the penetration of actives.
- Increases skin hydration.
- It can overcome soloubility limitation
- Minimize side effects.
What types of actives can be incorporated into liposomes?
- Vitamin A, retinol
- Cartenoids
- Tocopherol or Vitamin E
- Coenzyme Q10
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Ceramides
- Azelaic acid
- Lycopene
- Panthenol
- Grape seed extract
- Green tea extract
- And many more actives.
How do you choose Liposomes?
There are liposomes with various prices, stability, flexibility (means the ability to pass through the skin barrier), and also various osmotic sensitivity (breakage). You might see ingredients such as:
- Phospholipids
- Phosphatidylethanolamine
- Phosphatidylinositol
- lecithin
These ingredients mean that the products use liposome technology.