Bicelles: new nano systems for skin applications

Abstract

Bicellar systems are lipid nanostructures formed by long- and short-chained phospholipids dispersed in aqueous solution. Because of their attractive combination of lipid composition, small size and morphological versatility, bicelles became new targets for skin research. Bicelles modify the skin biophysical parameters and modulate the skin barrier function acting as enhancers for drug penetration. Moreover, these aggregates have the ability to penetrate through the narrow intercellular spaces of the skin stratum corneum and to reinforce its lipid lamellae. Their structures allows for the incorporation of different molecules that can be carried through the skin layers. The remarkable versatility of bicelles is their most important characteristic, which makes it possible their use in different fields. These aggregates represent new nanosystems for skin applications. In this work we provide an overview of the main properties of bicelles and their effects on the skin.