Grey Goo on the Skin? Nanotechnology, Cosmetic and Sunscreen Safety
Abstract
Many modern cosmetic or sunscreen products contain nano-sized components. Nanoemulsions are transparent and have unique tactile and texture properties; nanocapsule, nanosome, noisome, or liposome formulations contain small vesicles (range: 50 to 5000 nm) consisting of traditional cosmetic materials that protect light-or oxygen-sensitive cosmetic ingredients. Transdermal delivery and cosmetic research suggests that vesicle materials may penetrate the stratum corneum (SC) of the human skin, but not into living skin. Depending on the physical/chemical properties of the ingredient and the formulation, nano-sized formulations may enhance or reduce skin penetration, albeit at a limited rate. Modern sunscreens contain insoluble titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) or zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NP), which are colorless and reflect/scatter ultraviolet (UV) more efficiently than larger particles. Most available theoretical and experimental evidence suggests that insoluble NP do not penetrate into or through normal as well as compromised human skin. Oral and topical toxicity data suggest that TiO(2) and ZnO NP have low systemic toxicity and are well tolerated on the skin. In vitro cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and photogenotoxicity studies on TiO(2) or other insoluble NP reporting uptake by cells, oxidative cell damage, or genotoxicity should be interpreted with caution, since such toxicities may be secondary to phagocytosis of mammalian cells exposed to high concentrations of insoluble particl…
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These TiO2 particles were not cytotoxic, phototoxic, genotoxic, or photogenotoxic.
“Their conclusion suggested these TiO2 particles were not cytotoxic, phototoxic, genotoxic, or photogenotoxic.”
From Photoprotection: a Review of the Current and Future Technologies (2010) · cites this paper as [69]
There was no significant difference between the nano- and micro-sized TiO2 particles in these tests.
“Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the nano-and micro-sized particles (69).”
From Photoprotection: a Review of the Current and Future Technologies (2010) · cites this paper as [69]
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- Authors
- Nohynek, G. J., Lademann, J., Ribaud, C., & Roberts, M. S.
- Affiliations
- L'Oréal (France) (FR)
- Stiftung Charité (DE)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Venue
- Critical Reviews in Toxicology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2007-01
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 251-277
- ISSN
- 0045-6446 (ISSN-L)
- 1040-8444
- 1547-6898
- OpenAlex
- W2107283881
- Cited by
- 644
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 45 · 2013: 42 · 2012: 55
- FWCI
- 23.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Critical Reviews in Toxicology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
- Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmaceutical Science › Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
- Keywords
- nanotechnology, cosmetics, sunscreen safety, nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, liposomes, vesicles, skin penetration, stratum corneum, topical toxicity, genotoxicity, phototoxicity, phagocytosis, particle size, wear debris, surgical implants, nanocapsules
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Cosmetics, Dermatologic Agents, Humans, Sunscreening Agents, Nanoparticles
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