Nanomaterials in Skincare: Advances, Efficacy, and Safety Concerns

Nanomaterials are an important innovation in the skincare industry, enhancing cosmetic and dermatological formulations, including sunscreens, moisturizers, and anti-aging creams. While they offer clear functional advantages, ongoing research continues to evaluate their long-term effects and systemic absorption.

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What Are Nanomaterials?

Nanomaterials are substances with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nanometers (nm). At this scale, materials can exhibit altered physicochemical properties, including increased surface area, chemical reactivity, and dispersibility.¹ In skincare, these characteristics improve interaction with skin layers, support controlled release, and protect bioactive compounds from degradation. They also enhance different formulations' stability, delivery, and aesthetic qualities.²

Nanomaterials in Modern Skincare

The choice of nanomaterials in skincare products depends on the active ingredient, desired release kinetics, product format, and regulatory compliance.

Lipid-based nanocarriers, including liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), are widely used in skincare. Liposomes, made from phospholipid bilayers, can carry both water- and fat-soluble ingredients, allowing targeted delivery and improved bioavailability. They are commonly applied in anti-aging and moisturizing formulations. SLNs and NLCs also help improve formulation stability.^2-4,13

Polymeric nanoparticles, made from biodegradable materials including polylactic acid (PLA) and chitosan, help provide controlled release and minimize irritation. They are suitable for active ingredients such as retinoids, peptides, and botanical extracts, enabling sustained skin penetration. ^2,13

Inorganic nanoparticles, including zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂), are commonly used in mineral sunscreens, as they filter UV radiation effectively and reduce visible whitening, enhancing both performance and cosmetic acceptability. ^3,12,13

Nanoemulsions are kinetically stable emulsions with nanometer-sized droplets and are widely used as delivery systems in skincare products. They effectively solubilize hydrophobic actives, including essential oils, vitamins, and coenzyme Q10, enhancing stability, dermal absorption, and sensory properties.^3,13

Nanocapsules, comprising a polymeric or lipid shell surrounding an active core, protect sensitive ingredients such as retinol or ascorbic acid from oxidation and degradation, preserving their stability and potency. They are under investigation for enhancing retinol delivery in anti-aging products.³

Advances in Nanomaterial Technology

Recent developments have enabled engineered nanomaterials with tailored properties for topical formulations, integrating precision engineering, advanced characterization, and safety-focused design.

Modern synthesis methods, such as high-pressure homogenization and microemulsion techniques, enable fine control over nanoparticle attributes, including size, morphology, and stability, determining encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, and scalability.⁴

Surface modification strategies, such as polyethylene glycolylation (PEGylation), can further optimize carrier interactions with the skin while reducing aggregation or premature degradation. In addition, adjusting the nanoparticle surface charge and diameter has been shown to influence skin penetration and controlled release in topical nanocarriers directly.^4,5

Advanced analytical techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) improve characterization of nanoparticle size distribution, surface properties, and penetration depth, which also help enhance formulation reproducibility. ⁶

Furthermore, green synthesis and biocompatible design are helping address environmental and safety considerations, supporting the development of nanomaterials that balance performance with sustainability.⁷

Evaluating Skincare Nanomaterials

Integrating nanomaterials into skincare requires systematically evaluating their clinical efficacy and safety through comprehensive assessment.

Clinical efficacy investigations typically assess parameters such as dermal penetration, targeted delivery of active compounds, sustained release, and product stability, providing evidence-based insights into formulation performance. These studies often compare nanoformulated products with conventional formulations, employing objective endpoints such as transepidermal water loss, skin hydration measurements, or imaging-based evaluations of pigmentation and wrinkle depth.⁸

For example, in vivo studies involving gold nanoparticles (GNPs) demonstrated enhanced wound closure by reducing inflammation, increasing neovascularization, and improving granulation tissue formation.⁹ Other studies found that combining GNPs with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) resulted in significantly faster wound contraction.¹⁰

In toxicology studies, nanomaterials are typically assessed for irritation, sensitization, phototoxicity, and genotoxicity. Some studies also investigate oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator release, and bioaccumulation, particularly in the case of widely used non-organic nanoparticles such as ZnO and TiO₂.^11,12

One study found that ZnO nanoparticles can cause skin cell toxicity and DNA damage at doses exceeding typical use levels. However, combining TiO₂ with ZnO mitigated these effects by promoting aggregation, limiting cellular uptake, reducing zinc ion release, and decreasing skin penetration, suggesting safer UV protection.¹²

Nanomaterial Regulatory Frameworks

The regulation of nanomaterials in skincare is an evolving area, reflecting both the rapid pace of innovation in cosmetic formulations and ongoing scientific evaluation of potential health and environmental impacts.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cosmetics in the US under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) Act. While there are no specific nanomaterial regulations, manufacturers are expected to ensure the safety of all cosmetic ingredients, including nanoscale materials, before products reach the market.¹³

In the EU, regulations explicitly address nanomaterials in cosmetic products. Manufacturers must notify the European Commission of products containing nanomaterials at least six months before placing them on the market, providing detailed safety data and characterization information. The regulations also require labeling nanomaterials in the ingredients list, using the term “nano” in parentheses after the ingredient name. ¹³

Similar approaches are emerging in other jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, and parts of Asia, often aligning with FDA guidance or EU regulatory frameworks. These also incorporate local requirements for ingredient safety, product notification, and transparent labeling of nanomaterials, which are essential to ensure compliance and facilitate market access.¹³

Future Perspectives

Nanomaterials are increasingly integral to modern skincare formulations, offering benefits across various product types. Advances in research, technology, and regulation in this field continue to refine their efficacy while maintaining consumer safety and environmental responsibility, helping further to define their role in future dermatology and cosmetic applications.

References and Further Reading

1. Sajid, M. (2022). Nanomaterials: types, properties, recent advances, and toxicity concerns. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 25, 100319. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100319
2. Salvioni, L., Morelli, L., Ochoa, E., Labra, M., Fiandra, L., Palugan, L., Prosperi, D., & Colombo, M. (2021). The emerging role of nanotechnology in skincare. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 293, 102437. doi: 10.1016/j.cis.2021.102437
3. Rathnasinghe, N.L., Kaushani, K.G., Rajapakshe, P.S., De Silva, A., Jayasinghe, R.A., Liyanage, R.N., Tissera, N.D., Wijesena, R.N., & Priyadarshana, G. (2024). Current Trends on Unique Features and Role of Nanomaterials in Personal Care Products. Cosmetics, 11(5), 152. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics11050152
4. Thakur, S., Godela, R., Mandava, K., & Kolure, R. (2025). Advances in nanocarrier technology for drug encapsulation: a comprehensive overview. Discover Materials, 5, 124. doi: 10.1007/s43939-025-00271-1
5. Kang, Y., Zhang, S., Wang, G., Yan, Z., Wu, G., Tang, L., & Wang, W. (2024). Nanocarrier-Based Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems for Dermatological Therapy. Pharmaceutics, 16(11), 1384. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16111384
6. Dzyhovskyi, V., Romani, A., Pula, W., Bondi, A., Ferrara, F., Melloni, E., Gonelli, A., Pozza, E., Voltan, R., Sguizzato, M., Secchiero, P., & Esposito, E. (2024). Characterization Methods for Nanoparticle–Skin Interactions: An Overview. Life, 14(5), 599. doi: 10.3390/life14050599
7. Gupta, D., Boora, A., Thakur, A., & Gupta, T.K. (2023). Green and sustainable synthesis of nanomaterials: Recent advancements and limitations. Environmental Research, 231, 3, 116316. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116316
8. Somwongin, S. & Chaiyana, W. (2024). Clinical Efficacy in Skin Hydration and Reducing Wrinkles of Nanoemulsions Containing Macadamia integrifolia Seed Oil. Nanomaterials, 14(8), 724. doi: 10.3390/nano14080724
9. Mendes, C., Thirupathi, A., Corrêa, M. E. A. B., Gu, Y., & Silveira, P.C.L. (2022). The Use of Metallic Nanoparticles in Wound Healing: New Perspectives. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(23), 15376. doi: 10.3390/ijms232315376
10. Kumar, S.S.D., Houreld, N.N., & Abrahamse, H. (2025). Influence of biopolymer based gold nanoparticles and photobiomodulation in in vitro wound healing. Scientific Reports, 15, 15793. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-99400-2
11. Coimbra, S.C., Sousa-Oliveira, I., Ferreira-Faria, I., Peixoto, D., Pereira-Silva, M., Mathur, A., Pawar, K.D., Raza, F., Mazzola, P.G., Mascarenhas-Melo, F., Veiga, F., & Paiva-Santos, A.C. (2022). Safety Assessment of Nanomaterials in Cosmetics: Focus on Dermal and Hair Dyes Products. Cosmetics, 9(4), 83. doi: 10.3390/cosmetics9040083
12. Liang, Y., Simaiti, A., Xu, M., Lv, S., Jiang, H., He, X., Fan, Y., Zhu, S., Du, B., Yang, W., Li, X., & Yu, P. (2022). Antagonistic Skin Toxicity of Co-Exposure to Physical Sunscreen Ingredients Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles. Nanomaterials, 12(16), 2769. doi: 10.3390/nano12162769
13. Ferraris, C., Rimicci, C., Garelli, S., Ugazio, E., & Battaglia, L. (2021). Nanosystems in Cosmetic Products: A Brief Overview of Functional, Market, Regulatory and Safety Concerns. Pharmaceutics, 13(9), 1408. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13091408