Natural Ingredient-Based Cosmeceutical: Advances and Applications in Cosmetics Chemistry
A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Medicinal Chemistry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 478
Special Issue Editors
Interests: phytochemicals; natural product chemistry; bioactivity; phytochemical analysis; extraction; biological activities; phenolic compounds; natural product isolation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: cosmetic formulation; natural products; skin microbiome; plant extracts; cosmeceuticals; stability of creams; pharmaceutical technology; dermatological applications; probiotics and prebiotics; innovative cosmetic ingredients
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Natural ingredient-based cosmeceuticals represent one of the most dynamic and promising areas at the interface of cosmetic chemistry, dermatology, and pharmaceutical sciences. Bioactive compounds derived from plants, microorganisms, marine organisms, and biotechnological sources exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, photoprotective, and anti-aging effects. Increasing evidence also highlights their potential to modulate the skin barrier and microbiome, contributing to holistic skin health.
The rapid evolution of advanced formulation technologies—such as nanocarriers, liposomes, hydrogels, and biopolymeric systems—enables the development of products with enhanced stability, targeted delivery, improved bioavailability, and proven safety profiles. These innovations are expanding the possibilities for translating natural bioactivities into effective, sustainable, and consumer-trusted cosmeceuticals.
In this Special Issue, we invite original research papers and comprehensive reviews covering:
- Discovery of novel natural ingredients for cosmetic use;
- Innovative extraction, purification, and characterization techniques;
- Mechanistic studies on molecular pathways underlying bioactive functions;
- Formulation strategies ensuring efficacy and safety;
- Applications of natural actives in skin care, hair care, and multifunctional cosmetic products;
- Studies on safety, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and regulatory aspects of natural cosmeceuticals.
By integrating fundamental insights with technological advances, this issue aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the current state and future directions of natural ingredient-based cosmeceuticals, fostering dialog between academia and industry to accelerate innovation in cosmetic chemistry.
Prof. Dr. Katarzyna Dos Santos Szewczyk
Guest Editor
Dr. Katarzyna Wojciechowska
Guest Editor Assistant
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. Molecules 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 2700 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
- natural ingredients
- cosmeceuticals
- cosmetic chemistry
- bioactive compounds
- plant extracts
- skin health
- anti-aging
- antioxidants
- cosmetic formulation
- innovative technologies in cosmetology
- safety and toxicology
- photoprotection
- marine-derived actives
- biopolymers
- sustainable cosmetics
- nano-delivery systems
- dermal applications
- functional skincare
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
