Emerging Gel Technologies in Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals
A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Processing and Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 200
Special Issue Editors
Interests: food science; lipid metabolism; metabolomics; bioactive compounds; functional foods; gel
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: gels; bioactive compounds; biological activity; functional foods; antimicrobials; cosmeceuticals; nutraceuticals; cellular models; proteomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: delivery systems; byproduct valorization; bioactive ingredients; antimicrobials; nutraceuticals; bioactives; immunomodulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The rapid evolution of soft-matter science has positioned gels as essential functional materials in both cosmetic and pharmaceutical innovation. Advances in polymer chemistry, colloid science, nanotechnology, and bioengineering have enabled the development of gel systems with highly tunable structures, improved stability, superior sensory attributes, and enhanced biological performance. In recent years, gels have become indispensable platforms for controlled release, targeted delivery, dermal penetration enhancement, and the incorporation of bioactive molecules ranging from small compounds to peptides, proteins, and natural extracts. At the same time, consumer demand for sustainable, multifunctional, and high-efficacy products has accelerated the translation of novel gel technologies into commercial cosmetic and therapeutic formulations.
This Special Issue, “Emerging Gel Technologies in Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals”, invites contributions that explore the design, characterization, and application of innovative gel-based systems across these interconnected fields. Submissions may include original research, reviews, and case studies addressing topics such as smart and stimuli-responsive gels, nanogels, hybrid and composite gels, bio-based or green polymeric networks, advanced gelation mechanisms, sensory and rheological optimization, and gels for topical, transdermal, mucosal, or oral delivery. Studies that combine fundamental material science with practical formulation challenges, including stability, scalability, safety, and regulatory considerations, are particularly encouraged.
The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive platform for showcasing cutting-edge gel technologies that drive forward both cosmetic science and pharmaceutical development. By highlighting multidisciplinary approaches and emerging trends, this collection seeks to inspire future innovations and guide researchers in developing next-generation gel systems with enhanced functionality, biocompatibility, and translational potential.
Dr. Manuela Machado
Dr. Eduardo M. Costa
Dr. Sara Nunes Silva
Guest Editors
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
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. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2100 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
- stimuli-responsive gels
- nanogels and hybrid gel systems
- controlled release and targeted delivery
- bio-based polymers and bioactive incorporation
- cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations
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