Available encapsulation technologies at industrial level for cosmetic applications

Abstract

Cosmetics have been used from ancient times, associated to medicine and religious practices or to personal care and beauty. Cosmetic sector has a noticeable innovator character that force manufactures to look for new cosmetic formulas and ingredients that position their products at the forefront of the competitors. The current trend is based on the incorporation of new technologies in cosmetics formulations in order to enhance their effectiveness and make them more attractive for the customers. Delivery systems have been designed for responding this demand. Delivery systems are technological vehicles designed to bear, protect or carry an active ingredient and promote their controlled and targeted release. Several kinds of them are available in the market, of which the most popular would be: vesicular systems, polymeric capsules, and polymeric and lipid particles. The last ones can be divided into spheres and sponges according to their physical structure. The selection of one of them depends on a wide variety of factors, such as active ingredient nature, final application of the product, release mechanism desired, requirements of the production process, materials involved, manufacturing conditions, etc. All the above-mentioned factors have been studied in order to be able to provide a tool that facilitates the selection of the most suitable delivery system for beginner companies by limiting initial options, thus reducing the number of studies that have to be performed and the cost of the design process. Once the delivery system has been chosen, the manufacturing company has to guarantee its quality. The main quality parameters provided by manufacturing companies are reported in the project, as well as the most typical techniques used for their determination.