Introduction
“The widespread influence of nanocarrier in the cosmetics industry is due to the fact that nanocarrier can effectively promote the percutaneous penetration and significantly increase skin retention of active components in functional cosmetics.”1
Our proprietary Green Micelle™ formulation system uses nano-emulsions (microemulsions) to entrap and stabilise active skincare ingredients in nano-size micelles. This new generation skincare formulation system offers multiple advantages over traditional skincare formulation types2. Microemulsions are clear, optically isotropic and thermodynamically stable systems generally composed of a blend of oil, water and surfactant(s)3. They have nano-sized micelle droplets (10-100nm) which can be used to combine water and oil soluble active ingredients in the one formulation. Their small droplet size partly explains their stability and their enhanced skin penetrating ability for active ingredients.
“In spite of what the name suggests, microemulsions are nanocarriers, and their use as topical delivery systems derives from their multiple advantages compared to other dermatological formulations, such as ease of preparation, thermodynamic stability and penetration-enhancing properties.”2
Unlike most cosmetic formulation types, our Green Micelle™ formulations are low energy formation systems4. Also known as “cold-processing”, this means that energy (such as heat) is not required to form our microemulsions. Low energy formation offers environmental energy usage advantages as well as advantages in formulating with heat sensitive natural ingredients (such as Vitamin C).
“The small size of the particles in these kinds of delivery systems (r < 100 nm) means that they have a number of potential benefits for certain applications: enhanced long-term stability; high optical clarity; and, increased bioavailability.”4
Skincare Benefits of Microemulsion Formulations
Recent interest in microemulsions as topical/transdermal delivery systems results from the multiple benefits that these systems present. Microemulsions formulation systems offer multiple skincare benefits:6
- They are thermodynamically stable systems and the stability allows self-emulsification of the system
- They have enhanced ability to dissolve active skincare ingredients
- The mean diameter of droplets is 30-50nm, an order of magnitude smaller that other cosmetic formulations
- They can formulate both water soluble and oil soluble ingredients; for example Vitamin C and Vitamin E in one formulation
- They are easy to prepare and require no significant energy contribution during preparation (Cold-processing)
- They have low viscosity compared to other emulsions.
- They can improve the penetration efficacy of an ingredient, allowing same effects with less required ingredient
- Their formation is dynamic and reversible which also leads to greater formulation stability
Additional Benefits of our Green Micelle™ Formulation System
Most microemulsion formulation systems use synthetic ingredients (ethoxylates) in their formulation process. These ingredients are used in high concentrations and are potentially harmful to the skin and have environmentally harmful degradation by-products. Our Green Micelle™ formulation systems offer additional skincare and environmental benefits over other microemulsion formulation systems that include:
- They use natural, organic surfactants rather that synthetic, potentially harmful ethoxylates
- All ingredients are sourced from sustainable and environmentally friendly sources (no petroleum products)
- No harmful biodegradation by-products (all natural)
- Reduced organic surfactant formulas
- No synthetic preservatives are used
- They are vegan friendly and cruelty free
Conclusions
Our proprietary Green Micelle™ formulation system uses nano-size micelles to entrap and stabilise active skincare ingredients in deep skin penetrating formulations. This new generation skincare formulation system offers multiple advantages over traditional skincare formulation types2 and over other microemulsion formulations. Our Green Micelle™ microemulsions use organic, nano-sized micelle droplets (30-50nm) to combine water and oil soluble active ingredients in the one formulation. This small droplet size partly explains their stability and their enhanced skin penetrating ability for active ingredients.
References
- 1.Zhou H, Luo D, Chen D, et al. Current Advances of Nanocarrier Technology-Based Active Cosmetic Ingredients for Beauty Applications. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021;14:867-887. doi:10.2147/CCID.S313429
- 2.Lopes L. Overcoming the cutaneous barrier with microemulsions. Pharmaceutics. 2014;6(1):52-77. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics6010052
- 3.Lawrence M, Rees G. Microemulsion-based media as novel drug delivery systems. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2000;45(1):89-121. doi:10.1016/s0169-409x(00)00103-4
- 4.Gupta A, Burak Eral H, Hatton T, Doyle P. Nanoemulsions: formation, properties and applications. Soft Matter. 2016;12:2826-2841. doi:10.1039/c5sm02958a
- 5.Lopes L. Overcoming the cutaneous barrier with microemulsions. Pharmaceutics. 2014;6(1):52-77. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics6010052
- 6.Chordiya M. Organised Surfactant System: Micro Emulsion. Nov Appro Drug Des Dev. 2017;1(2):1-3.
