Delivery of Niacinamide to the Skin Using Microneedle-Like Particles

The stratum corneum is the outermost skin layer that obstructs the delivery of active ingredients found in cosmeceutical products. Chemical peels and microbeads have been used to overcome this layer, but these methods can cause side effects and are not environmentally friendly. While microneedles do not share the dangers mentioned above, they are currently only available as patches, which makes them unsuitable to be used with products that are usually applied onto a large area of the skin surface. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop microneedle-like particles (MLP) whose needles would disrupt the skin during the rubbing process. A modified approach taken from conventional micromolding techniques was used to make the MLPs. The experimental results show that the fabricated structures had the required mechanical strength. Furthermore, after the application of the MLPs, the permeability of two fluorescent dyes, fluorescein sodium salt and sulforhodamine B increased to 217.6% ± 25.6% and 251.7% ± 12.8% respectively. Additionally, the permeability of a model drug, niacinamide, was shown to have increased to 193.8% ± 29.9%. Cryosectioned porcine slices also confirmed the ability of MLPs to enhance skin permeability by revealing a deeper penetration of the applied fluorescent dye. Altogether, the results demonstrate the potential of MLPs to be used as safe skin permeability enhancers that can be applied all over the skin.