Liposomes have been widely used in cosmetics in recent years. Liposomes are generally claimed to have a variety of benefits, such as good skin compatibility, permeability, and sustained release (DDS) of their inclusions.

In this column, we will explain the structure and effects of liposomes and their formulation technology for those who are familiar with liposomes but want to know more about them and develop formulations using liposomes.

Definition and Role of Liposome

Liposomes are spherical capsules with a phospholipid bilayer or monolayer structure.

Liposomes are spherical capsules with a bilayer or monolayer structure of phospholipids. Thanks to this structure, oil can be stably blended in aqueous formulations without the use of solubilizers.

Originally developed as a means of transporting active ingredients in nutrients and pharmaceuticals into the body. Liposomes are now also used in cosmetics because they can transport water-soluble active ingredients to the lamellar structure between the keratinous layers of the skin, which is difficult to do with ordinary cosmetic raw materials.

Main Components and Structure of Liposome

The main component of liposomes is phospholipid, which is the same molecule used in human cell membranes. Phospholipids are molecules with the special quality characteristic of being “compatible with both water and oil. It is an amphiphilic molecule that has both hydrophilic and lipophilic groups in one molecule, and is composed of these two groups facing each other and overlapping in layers.

Cosmetic effects of liposomes

Liposomes have the following two main effects

Liposomes form a lamellar structure that prevents rough skin caused by dry skin.

Liposomes form a lamellar structure for the skin’s barrier function. Liposomes form a lamellar structure for the skin’s barrier function. Liposomes have the same lamellar structure as the intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum of the skin, a curtain-like state in which water and oil are mixed together, and they are effective in repairing the lamellar structure of the skin.

The lamellar structure of the skin serves as a barrier, preventing foreign substances from easily entering the body. It is thanks to this lamellar structure that many poisons and bacteria are harmless to the touch, and rough skin is largely due to the loss of the skin’s barrier function. Delivering beauty ingredients to the stratum corneum of the skin, which is normally difficult to reach.

Deliver beauty ingredients to the stratum corneum of the skin, which is usually difficult to reach

Liposomes deliver beauty ingredients such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to the deeper stratum corneum. Liposomes are composed of water- and oil-compatible molecules, just like cell membranes, in a whirlpool state, so they break down as if the layers are gradually peeled off, allowing the active ingredients to penetrate deep into the skin in stages.

How are liposomes manufactured?

Liposomes are more difficult to manufacture than nano capsules, and the manufacturing process depends on the equipment and formulation technology. Liposomes are more difficult to manufacture than nano capsules, and depend on the equipment, machinery, and formulation technology. One factor in making liposomes dense is the use of high-pressure emulsification equipment to produce fine particles.

The most common method of making liposomes finer is to use a hydrophilic surfactant.

The smaller liposome particles also cause a reduction in the volume of the inner aqueous phase, which results in liposomes that do not function well as liposomes. The use of phytosterol, a membrane-supporting component, makes it possible to produce liposomes with a large volume of the inner aqueous phase.

If formulation development is difficult…

If you are trying to develop high-quality liposome cosmetics in-house, it may be difficult to do so unless you have a researcher with formulation skills such as solubilization.

JC Dermatology Laboratory can provide you with formulations of cosmetics using liposomes and liposome-based formulations. If you are interested in this service, please refer to the following page for more information.

More information about Liposome bulk liquid

>>JMIX LP-SQ green

Example of formulation using Liposome bulk liquid

Oil-in Lotion

Oil-in lotion Concentrated type

All-in-one gel

Moist moisturizing cream

Oil-in Body Serum