Skin penetration/permeation success determinants of nanocarriers: Pursuit of a perfect formulation

The advent of nanocarriers in the field of pharmaceutical drug delivery, while exhibiting considerable advantages, has created challenges for researchers. Among the applications of nanocarriers, drug delivery to the skin has attracted increasing attention in recent decades due to its advantages over oral and parenteral administration. Accordingly, this work attempts to discuss the major obstacles surrounding topically applied formulations and different nanocarriers' potential to overcome these barriers to investigate whether their passive penetration through the skin is likely. Therefore, skin anatomical views and transcutaneous pathways are briefly reviewed. Factors commonly thought to influence skin penetration are discussed from the perspective of particularly penetrating nanocarriers. The formulation of these nanocarriers is outlined, and promising constituents are highlighted to help investigators optimize nanocarrier formulations.

Automated summary

The use of nanocarriers in pharmaceutical drug delivery has presented challenges for researchers despite their considerable advantages. This study focuses on the potential of nanocarriers for delivering drugs to the skin, discussing factors influencing skin penetration and highlighting promising constituents to optimize formulations. By addressing these obstacles and optimizing formulations, researchers aim to overcome major challenges in topically applied drug formulations.