Natural Products for Skin Applications
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 46
Special Issue Editors
Interests: bioactive compounds; plant extracts; natural dermatocosmetic products; skincare; cutaneous applications
Interests: modern extraction techniques; optimized/standardized extracts; phytochemical analysis; health outcomes of plant extracts; bioaccessability of compounds from various vegetal matrices; drug–vegetal extract interactions at metabolic level
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In recent decades, the interest in natural products has grown significantly, particularly in the fields of dermatology and cosmetology. Medicinal plants and their extracted bioactive compounds are increasingly incorporated into skincare formulations due to their therapeutic potential, biocompatibility, and lower risk of adverse effects compared to synthetic alternatives.
Numerous plant-derived compounds—such as those from Matricaria recutita, Calendula officinalis, or Melaleuca alternifolia—have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and photoprotective properties, making them suitable for various dermatological applications. These include anti-acne and anti-aging treatments, care for sensitive skin, sun protection, and even adjunctive use in skin cancer therapies. Examples range from green tea and witch hazel in acne care to pomegranate extract and Coenzyme Q10 in anti-aging formulations and raspberry seed and carrot oils in natural sun protection.
However, challenges remain, such as the instability of certain natural compounds, risk of allergic reactions, and the need for standardization of extract purity and dosage. Addressing these limitations requires continued scientific validation, particularly through well-designed in vitro and in vivo studies.
This Special Issue invites original research articles and reviews focused on the characterization, biological activity, and dermatological application of natural bioactive compounds. Emphasis will be placed on mechanistic studies, innovative formulation strategies, and preclinical models supporting the safe and effective integration of natural compounds into modern dermatocosmetic products.
Dr. Octavia Gligor
Dr. Ana-Maria Vlase
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 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. Pharmaceuticals 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 2900 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
- bioactive compounds
- plant extracts
- topic preparations
- skincare
- cutaneous applications
- skin cancer
- medicinal plants
- modern extraction techniques
- optimized/standardized extracts
- phytochemical analysis
- health outcomes of plant extracts
- bioaccessability of compounds from various vegetal matrices
- drug–vegetal extract interactions at metabolic level
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.