Peptide and Protein-Based Nanomaterials in Applications for the Skin

Due to the properties of the stratum corneum (SC), only small, lipophilic molecules (<500–800 Da, depending on source and application) can be absorbed through the skin. This excludes amphoteric molecules (like proteins, 300–1,000,000 Da) [1]. However, topical application of peptides/proteins with short half-life was shown to increase their stability while affording controlled delivery from different formulations [2]. Besides applications in the treatment of skin disease and regeneration, a new domain of special interest emerged, using proteins in substitution therapy of proteins which are deficient in the skin due to genetic mutations (e.g. in Ichthyosis vulgaris and others, Chap. 2).