Nanocosmetics: Past, Present and Future Trends

Products created by nanotechnology are one of the major advancements in cosmetic technology and have resulted into further development of cosmetic science. As nanomaterials continually gain attention in the field of health care, cosmetic industries are perceived to be the most advanced in incorporating nanoparticles into their products. Products underpinned by nanotechnology have increased by nearly 516% between the years 2006 -2013. A large number of patents based on nanotechnology are in the sphere of personnel care products. On the other hand there are several safety issues that are gaining continuous attention. In the light of current knowledge, agencies like the Federal Drug Administration (US) and Directive of EU Regulation and International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation established laws for continuous testing and transparency in the research based on nanocosmetics. This article seeks to bring an overview of nanotechnology and its applications in cosmetics published in scientific papers and patents.