Nanostructured lipid carriers: A prospective dermal drug delivery system for natural active ingredients

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are versatile tools used for several purposes, including drug release modification, adhesion to the skin, film-forming ability followed by hydration of the superficial layers of the skin, as well as high penetration with permeation into and across deeper skin layers. During the formulation of active ingredients sourced from nature into dosage forms, NLCs play a crucial role in overcoming challenges associated with the process. These challenges include poor solubility and skin permeability, sensitivity to light, heat, and oxygen, leading to degraded quality, reduced potency, and probable risks of skin irritation or allergic reactions. Therefore, this review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of NLCs as effective delivery system through the skin for natural active ingredients. The extensive discussion covers the advantages and disadvantages of a dermal delivery system for these ingredients, focusing on various types, lipids, and surfactants used in the formulation, preparation, and characterization process. Additionally, the recent developments in NLCs technology are explored. The result showed that NLCs would advance into a more efficient, precise, and safe system to transport natural active ingredients dermally.