Nanoencapsulation of essential and vegetable oils to obtain polymeric nanoparticles for dermocosmetics application

Abstract

Essential and vegetable oils are rich in bioactives, which can act on the skin through their therapeutic properties. However, they are often sensitive to oxidation and degradation, making it necessary to use resources for their protection. The nanoencapsulation of these oils allows bioactives to have their properties protected and optimized through the sustained release of actives, reduced toxicity, and even greater penetration capacity and better distribution in the skin layers, enhancing their effects. Polymeric nanoparticles, particularly, have shown important results for delivery of bioactives to the skin, and can be produced from natural or synthetic polymers, which present biocompatibility and biodegradability. The main methods for obtaining these nanostructured materials are nanoprecipitation, coacervation and ionic gelation, and these methods are the scope of this literature review.