Transdermal and bioactive nanocarriers

Abstract Skin is the largest organ of the human body that is comprised of outer-epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The stratum corneum (SC), an outermost layer of the five-layered epidermis, acts as a barrier and first line of defense against an external environment. Hence, any xenobiotic needs to bypass the SC to reach other target sites within the skin. Thus to trounce the SC and deliver the bioactives or ingredients to promote skin health and beauty the transdermal delivery systems were developed. Recent advancements in nanotechnology also paved a way for designing nanocosmeceuticals that could effectively deliver the molecules of choice including bioactives to the desired site of the skin at the desired concentration in a sustainable manner and with less or no toxicity/adverse effects. This chapter deals with the detailed description of novel advancements in the development of the transdermal delivery system and bioactive nanocarriers that are currently being used for cosmetics.