Nano-Structured Lignin as Green Antioxidant and UV Shielding Ingredient for Sunscreen Applications

Green, biocompatible, and biodegradable antioxidants represent a milestone in cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications. Lignin is the most abundant polyphenol in nature, recovered as a low-cost waste from the pulp and paper industry and biorefinery. This polymer is characterized by beneficial physical and chemical properties which are improved at the nanoscale level due to the emergence of antioxidant and UV shielding activities. Here we review the use of lignin nanoparticles in cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications, focusing on sunscreen and antiaging formulations. Advances in the technology for the preparation of lignin nanoparticles are described highlighting structure activity relationships.

Automated summary

The use of lignin nanoparticles in cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications shows great potential due to their green, biocompatible, and biodegradable properties. Lignin, the most abundant polyphenol in nature, has beneficial physical and chemical properties that can be enhanced for antioxidant and UV shielding activities through structure activity relationships. Advances in the technology for preparing lignin nanoparticles are described to improve their performance in sunscreen and antiaging formulations.