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Pharmaceuticals
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Natural-Based Skincare Solutions
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Natural-Based Skincare Solutions

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Natural Products".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2025) | Viewed by 7000

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Célia Cabral

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR)/Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB)/Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: ethnomedicine; phytochemistry; natural products; bioactive compounds; plant-based health solutions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Skin plays a crucial role in protecting the human body from external harmful agents, namely from UV radiation, pollutants, microorganisms, and pathogen infections, preventing the occurrence of wounds, as well as regulating evapotranspiration and electrolytes loss.

Natural products (including plants, algae, and fungi) have been the source of extracts and isolated bioactive compounds, with less side-effects, that are paramount as new and effective therapeutical approaches for dermatological conditions, or even as a source of bioactive ingredients that are the basis for the development of cosmetics.

From this perspective, this Special Issue attempts to showcase recent updates in the investigation of the development of innovative natural skincare solutions. Henceforward, researchers are encouraged to share their work when related to this emerging topic, either when attempting to chemically characterize these biological matrices, or when proving their bioactive properties, such as their cytotoxicity profiles, antioxidant properties, anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory action, senolytic and senomorphic potential, and photoprotective and anti-enzymatic properties, both through in vitro and in vivo assays. Papers that envisage the development of innovative nanotechnology-based systems to improve the delivery of such natural components on the skin and hair are also encouraged. Therefore, this Special Issue on natural skincare ingredients intends to highlight for research that attests to the security and effectiveness of innovative natural approaches, thus paving the way for the development of reliable natural cosmetics.

Prof. Dr. Célia Cabral
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. 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

  • natural products
  • skincare
  • cosmetics
  • bioactive compounds
  • in vitro assays
  • in vivo assays
  • innovative skin formulations
  • handmade cosmetics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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16 pages, 2977 KiB  
Article
Protective Effects of Oleanolic Acid on Human Keratinocytes: A Defense Against Exogenous Damage
by Marzia Vasarri, Maria Camilla Bergonzi, Manuela Leri, Rebecca Castellacci, Monica Bucciantini, Lucia De Marchi and Donatella Degl’Innocenti
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(2), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18020238 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 3704
Abstract
Background/objectives: Aging leads to increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the skin, which contribute to various disorders such as dermatitis and cancer. This study explores the cytoprotective effects of oleanolic acid (OA), a natural triterpenoid compound known for its potential in mitigating [...] Read more.
Background/objectives: Aging leads to increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in the skin, which contribute to various disorders such as dermatitis and cancer. This study explores the cytoprotective effects of oleanolic acid (OA), a natural triterpenoid compound known for its potential in mitigating oxidative damage, on human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells exposed to oxidative stress from tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods: Using in vitro experiments, we assessed cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, nitric oxide (NO) production, and protein expression following OA pre-treatment. Advanced imaging techniques were employed to visualize protein localization. Results: Results demonstrated that OA significantly improved cell viability and reduced intracellular ROS levels compared with those in controls. Additionally, OA inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent nitric oxide release, indicating a modulation of inflammatory responses. Notably, while tBHP activated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, OA did not enhance this response, suggesting that OA exerts cytoprotective effects through mechanisms independent of Nrf2 activation. Conclusion: OA shows promise in protecting HaCaT cells from tBHP-induced oxidative stress, highlighting its potential role in promoting skin health and addressing aging-related damage. The study proposes that OA operates through pathways distinct from Nrf2 and MAPKs, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies aimed at improving skin health against oxidative stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural-Based Skincare Solutions)
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24 pages, 5476 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Skincare Innovation: Cork Powder Extracts as Active Ingredients for Skin Aging
by Ana Silva, Cláudia Pinto, Sara Cravo, Sandra Mota, Liliana Rego, Smeera Ratanji, Clara Quintas, Joana Rocha e Silva, Carlos Afonso, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Honorina Cidade, Teresa Cruz and Isabel F. Almeida
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18010121 - 17 Jan 2025
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Abstract
Background: An emerging practice within the concept of circular beauty involves the upcycling of agro-industrial by-products. Cork processing, for instance, yields by-products like cork powder, which presents an opportunity to create value-added cosmetic ingredients. Building upon our previous research, demonstrating the antioxidant [...] Read more.
Background: An emerging practice within the concept of circular beauty involves the upcycling of agro-industrial by-products. Cork processing, for instance, yields by-products like cork powder, which presents an opportunity to create value-added cosmetic ingredients. Building upon our previous research, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of hydroalcoholic extracts derived from two distinct cork powders (P0 and P1), in this work, aqueous extracts were prepared and analyzed. The safety and bioactivities of the newly obtained aqueous extracts, as well as the 30% ethanol extracts, previously reported to be the most promising for skin application, were also evaluated. Methods: Aqueous extracts were obtained from cork powders (P0 and P1) and the identification and quantification of some polyphenols was achieved by liquid chromatography (LC). Antioxidant potential was screened by DPPH method and the bioactivity and safety of extracts were further explored using cell-based assays. Results: All extracts exhibited a reduction in age-related markers, including senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity. Additionally, they demonstrated a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the production of several pro-inflammatory mediators in macrophages upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Moreover, the extracts upregulated genes and proteins associated with antioxidant activity, such as heme oxygenase 1. The aqueous extract from P1 powder was especially active in reducing pro-inflammatory mediators, namely the Nos2 gene, inducible nitric oxide protein levels, and nitric oxide production. Moreover, it did not induce skin irritation, as assessed by the EpiSkin test, in compliance with the OECD Test Guidelines. Conclusions: Overall, our findings underscore the potential of aqueous extracts derived from cork waste streams to mitigate various hallmarks of skin aging, including senescence and inflammaging, and their suitability for incorporation into cosmetics formulations. These results warrant further exploration for their application in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and could foster a sustainable and circular bioeconomy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural-Based Skincare Solutions)
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