title: Lipid nanoparticles as novel delivery systems for cosmetics and dermal pharmaceuticals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipid nanoparticles are innovative carrier systems developed as an alternative to traditional vehicles such as emulsions, liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and the newest nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) show important advantages for dermal application of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article focuses on the main features of lipid nanoparticles, in terms of their preparation and recent advancements. A detailed review of the literature is presented, introducing the importance of these systems in the topical delivery of drugs and active substances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lipid nanoparticles are able to enhance drug penetration into the skin, allowing increased targeting to the epidermis and consequently increasing treatment efficiency and reducing the systemic absorption of drugs and cosmetic actives. The complete biodegradation of lipid nanoparticles and their biocompatible chemical nature have secured them the title of 'nanosafe carriers.' SLN and NLC represent a new technological era, which has been taken over by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, which will open new channels for effective topical delivery of substances.
authors.affiliation: University of Catania, Carmelo Puglia, Department of Drug Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Catania, Italy. capuglia@unict.it
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Puglia
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bonina
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003358:Cosmetics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D004355:Drug Stability; D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008055:Lipids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000528:radiation effects; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D003358:Cosmetics; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004655:Emulsions; D005079:Excipients; D008055:Lipids