Today, there is a rising demand and ongoing search for novel plant-derived phytochemicals in the cosmetic market owing to the growing consumer expectations worldwide for green and natural health products. Various plant ingredients, including polyphenols, oils, volatile oils, vitamins and other herbal extracts, have been extensively used in herbal cosmetics. Recent advances in encapsulation technologies have greatly improved their chemical stability, biocompatibility, skin permeability and dermocosmetic efficiency when applied topically. This comprehensive review summarizes the up-to-date information on encapsulated plant ingredients tailored for dermocosmetic application with a focus on the development of novel delivery systems. An overview of the commonly used techniques for carrier characterization, performance-related properties and toxicological evaluation is also included, which might provide guidance for researchers to select or develop appropriate assay systems.
PolyphenolsPolyphenols are secondary metabolites in plants, and the presence of the array of phenolic hydroxyl groups makes them potent free radical scavengers and antioxidants, which are favoured in antiageing cosmetics [1]. Encapsulation techniques are primarily employed to stabilize the easily reducible polyphenolic compounds during storage and processing, thereby enabling their cosmetic/ pharmaceutical uses. A good example is quercetin, a flavonoid from Sophora japonica L. with a pronounced antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity but with poor water solubility and low skin