Pyrrolidone Chemistry in Skin Care, Transdermal Delivery, and Wound Care

Abstract

This chapter introduces pyrrolidone chemistry as it relates to applications for skin. It begins with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and its derivatives in skin care, and focuses on transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical ingredients and applications in wound care. Rheology modifiers are extremely important in personal care products and provide a product with a chassis that has a characteristic rheological profile. The chapter describes the application of small molecules (non‐polymeric) based on pyrrolidone chemistry in transdermal delivery and personal care. The transdermal patch is the most basic transdermal delivery system. The use of PVP in wound care mostly involves wound healing applications and antiseptics. PVP plays an extremely important role in nanotechnology. Both pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate are used in many different types of skin care products, including lotions, creams, oils, cleansing formulas, sun care preparations, and makeup.