Nanoparticle Safety and Efficacy in Dermatological Applications

Nanoparticles are engineered materials with at least one dimension below 100 nm that offer unique optical, mechanical and chemical properties. In dermatology they have been harnessed for ultraviolet (UV) protection, targeted drug delivery and antimicrobial therapy. Their high surface-to-volume ratio enables enhanced skin penetration and controlled release of active ingredients, but also raises concerns about barrier disruption, oxidative stress and unintended immunomodulation. Safety assessments must therefore balance desirable outcomes, such as improved moisturisation or accelerated wound healing, against risks of cytotoxicity, inflammation and long‐term bioaccumulation. Recent efforts have focused on elucidating mechanisms of particle–cell interactions, refining surface chemistries to mitigate adverse effects, and developing standardised assays to predict in vivo behaviour. The global expansion of nanoparticle-based sunscreens, cosmeceuticals and topical therapeutics underscores the need for robust regulatory frameworks that integrate physicochemical characterisation with biological impact studies. This rigorous approach is essential to ensure that nanotechnology fulfils its promise in improving skin health without compromising safety.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Foundational work has demonstrated that the shape of silver nanoparticles influences both skin permeability and antimicrobial efficacy. Differently shaped particles, including spheres, rods and prisms, exhibit variable diffusion rates through intercellular lipid pathways and distinct depth-of-penetration profiles in ex vivo and in vivo skin models. These studies reveal that planar facets of certain geometries promote stronger interactions with microbial membranes while maintaining low systemic absorption, enabling the design of topical antibacterial agents with minimal off-target effects. Such insights into shape-dependent transport and activity pave the way for rational particle engineering that optimises therapeutic index and reduces systemic exposure.

Nanoparticle Safety and Efficacy in Dermatological Applications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nanoparticle safety and efficacy in dermatological applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanoparticle: A particle with dimensions typically between 1 and 100 nm, exhibiting size-dependent physicochemical and biological properties.

Stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead keratinocytes and lipids, serving as the primary barrier to topical agents.

Desmosome: A specialised intercellular junction that provides mechanical adhesion between keratinocytes in the epidermis.

Autophagy: A cellular degradation process in which cytoplasmic components are enclosed in autophagosomes and delivered to lysosomes for recycling.

Inflammasome: A multiprotein complex in immune cells that detects stress or microbial signals and activates inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β.

References

1. Shape-Dependent Skin Penetration of Silver Nanoparticles: Does It Really Matter?. Scientific Reports (2015).
2. ZnO Nanoparticles as Potent Inducers of Dermal Immunosuppression in Contact Hypersensitivity in Mice. ACS Nano (2024).
3. ZNPs reduce epidermal mechanical strain resistance by promoting desmosomal cadherin endocytosis via mTORC1-TFEB-BLOC1S3 axis. Journal of Nanobiotechnology (2024).
4. Zinc oxide nanoparticles exacerbate skin epithelial cell damage by upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and exosome secretion in M1 macrophages following UVB irradiation-induced skin injury. Particle and Fibre Toxicology (2024).