Cosmeceuticals represent the marriage of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Examples of products typically labeled as cosmeceuticals include anti-aging creams and moisturizers (Wikipedia). Consumers of today wants natural and organic ingredients, foods and supplements that will help them stay young and beautiful, and scientific backing for the claims that marketers make. The world of cosmetics and personal care products is changing, and innovative companies are introducing many new and exciting products. How does nanotechnology come into play? And what are the applications of nanotechnology in cosmeceuticals. These questions and many more were discussed during the recent Nanotechnology Talk session at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Bangkok by Assoc. Prof. Ubonthip Nimmannit, Head of Nano-Cosmecueticals Lab at NANOTEC under the title of “Nanotechnology for herbal extract in cosmeceuticals”.

“In cosmeceuticals, the most common designed platform included micelles, polymeric micelles, dendrimer, liposomes niosomes, ethosomes, glycosomes nanoparticles and nanocapsules” said Dr. Ubonthip. “The smaller particles are more readily absorb into the skin to optimize the delivery of functional ingredients into the skin and allow these material to get into the site of action quicker”.

Nanotechnology Talk sessions organized by AIT and NANOTEC are geared toward providing information on nanotechnology research development and its implications to current economic and social situations. The discussion also provides opportunities for career researchers and students researchers to share ideas. The sessions are open to the public and there is no registration fee. Information for future talks will be posted in NANOTEC website (www.nanotec.or.th/en).