Innovative Vesicular Systems and Natural Extracts for Targeted Drug Delivery, Cosmetics, and Skin Therapeutics

Dear Colleagues,

The design of advanced vesicular systems is driving innovation in both therapeutic and cosmeceutical applications to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of bioactive compounds. This Special Issue focuses on innovative vesicular carriers, including liposomes, niosomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and exosomes, which offer significant advantages for targeted drug delivery and cosmeceutical applications. Exosomes, as natural extracellular vesicles with high cell affinity, are particularly promising due to their intrinsic biocompatibility and efficient cellular uptake, making them suitable for both therapeutic interventions and skin care formulations. The main focus of this issue is the incorporation of natural extracts and bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and peptides into these advanced vesicular systems. Derived from plants, algae, and marine sources, these natural compounds possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties that are essential for medical and anti-aging applications. However, their low stability and bioavailability often limit their direct use. When encapsulated in vesicular carriers, such as exosomes and liposomes, these compounds are protected and optimized for controlled and targeted release, enhancing their therapeutic efficacy and potential for skin penetration, crucial for cosmeceutical use. In this issue, we invite authors to submit studies that explore the design of novel vesicular systems for the encapsulation of natural compounds and demonstrate their efficacy in dermatological and skin care applications in both experimental and clinical studies. Studies and comprehensive reviews of recent advances in the field of exosomes as bioactive compound carriers for cellular regeneration and skin rejuvenation are encouraged. This Special Issue aims to be a resource for researchers in the development of sustainable and targeted therapeutic and cosmeceutical solutions, promoting a multidisciplinary approach which integrates nanotechnology with natural resources to further personalized and science-based treatments.

Dr. Ines Castangia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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.

• vesicular drug delivery systems
• exosomes in cosmeceuticals
• natural bioactive compounds
• targeted therapeutic efficacy
• skin regeneration
• anti-aging
• vesicular systems