The 10th Anniversary of Cosmetics: Nanotechnology and Sustainability in Cosmetics

A special issue of Cosmetics (ISSN 2079-9284). This special issue belongs to the section "Cosmetic Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 524

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds—SS Pisa, CNR Research Area, Via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Interests: polymer functionalization; 2D layered materials; preparation and characterization of functional host–guest inorganic–organic systems; polymer nanocomposites; compatibilization; polymer blending; recycling
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cosmetic and personal care industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing focus on sustainability and responsible resource utilization. This shift aims to address the needs of environmentally conscious consumers and create a future where beauty and well-being harmonize with the planet's health. In this context, the industry is focusing on the use of natural additives alongside modern technologies and the adoption of alternative biobased and biocompatible materials. This trend is evident in beauty product formulations and the manufacturing of related films, fabrics, and packaging.

The synergy between natural ingredients and advanced technologies enables the creation of products that meet consumer expectations in terms of efficacy whilst demonstrating environmental respect.

Biobased and biocompatible materials reduce the environmental impact of production and promote a more sustainable life cycle for cosmetic and personal care products. Nanotechnology is a promising frontier in this effort towards developing eco-friendly and efficient cosmetic solutions.

A key objective is to harness nanotechnologies’ potential to integrate nanoparticles or nanostructured substrates with natural bioactive compounds providing antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This approach aims to enhance these compounds’ performance and bioavailability in cosmetic products, including sunscreens, anti-ageing creams, moisturizers, and perfumes.

Functional nanofillers are also suitable for the controlled release of valuable biomolecules onto the skin. This process provides controlled kinetics, ensuring a gradual and optimized application of cosmetic benefits. Furthermore, nanofillers can be deposited on films and fabrics, imparting functional properties and enhancing the user experience.

This innovative approach extends beyond product formulation to encompass the entire packaging process. The use of alternative materials for packaging, whether recyclable or compostable, demonstrates the industry's commitment to reducing plastic usage and adopting more eco-friendly solutions.

Dr. Maria Beatrice Coltelli
Dr. Serena Coiai
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cosmetics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cosmetic industry
  • sustainability
  • responsible resource utilization
  • advanced materials
  • nanotechnology
  • nanostructured materials
  • natural additives
  • biobased
  • biopolymers

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 2073 KiB  
Article
Marine Algae Extract-Loaded Nanoemulsions: A Spectrophotometric Approach to Broad-Spectrum Photoprotection
by Julian Tello Quiroz, Ingrid Andrea Rodriguez Martinez, Vanessa Urrea-Victoria, Leonardo Castellanos and Diana Marcela Aragón Novoa
Cosmetics 2025, 12(3), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12030101 - 15 May 2025
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Abstract
The depletion of the ozone layer and climate change have increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, driving the search for natural photoprotective agents. Marine macroalgae, particularly Gracilaria sp. (Rhodophyta) and Sargassum polyceratium (Ochrophyta), are rich in UV-absorbing bioactives, such as mycosporine-like amino acids [...] Read more.
The depletion of the ozone layer and climate change have increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, driving the search for natural photoprotective agents. Marine macroalgae, particularly Gracilaria sp. (Rhodophyta) and Sargassum polyceratium (Ochrophyta), are rich in UV-absorbing bioactives, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and fucoxanthin, offering natural alternatives to synthetic sunscreens. This study aimed to develop and optimize a nanoemulsion incorporating both algal extracts, with MAAs and fucoxanthin strategically distributed in the aqueous and oil phases, respectively, to enhance synergistic broad-spectrum UV protection. MAAs were quantified in Gracilaria sp. using UHPLC-DAD, revealing 8.03 mg/g dry weight, primarily composed of shinorine and porphyra-334. Fucoxanthin was identified in S. polyceratium at 0.98 mg/g dry weight. A Box–Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the nanoemulsion, targeting minimal droplet size and optimal ζ potential. The resulting formulation achieved a droplet size less than 100 nm and a ζ potential less than −25.0 mV. In vitro spectrophotometric analysis demonstrated significant photoprotective potential. The nanoemulsion containing only 375 ppm of algal extracts exhibited a UVA ratio of 1.25 and a critical wavelength of 379 nm, meeting the criteria for broad-spectrum protection and outperforming the commercial natural filter Helioguard®365. These results confirm the efficacy of combining red and brown algae extracts in a nanoemulsion platform to deliver sustainable, low-dose photoprotection. This work presents, for the first time, the incorporation of red and brown algae extracts into a single nanoemulsion system, representing a novel strategy to maximize the combined photoprotective potential of MAAs and fucoxanthin. Ultimately, this investigation contributes to the growing field of marine-derived sunscreens and supports the advancement of “blue beauty” innovations aligned with eco-conscious formulation principles. Full article
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