Lipid-Based Nanocarriers as a Promising Delivery System in the Management of Acne

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent dermatological condition resulting from inflammation, follicular hyperkeratinization, and bacterial growth. Standard treatments, whether topical or oral, frequently encounter challenges such as limited skin penetration, drug instability, and undesirable side effects. The report found that lipid-based nanocarriers have emerged as a promising alternative, demonstrating the potential for enhanced therapeutic effectiveness, better skin bioavailability, controlled drug release, and targeted delivery specifically to sebaceous glands, which help minimize systemic side effects.

This review article aims to explore the therapeutic potential of various lipid nanocarriers, including Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs), Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLCs), liposomes, microemulsions, niosomes, and ethosomes particularly by examining the mechanisms through which they penetrate the stratum corneum and deeper skin layers to enhance drug delivery.

This review comprehensively surveys lipid-based nanocarriers for acne vulgaris treatment, drawing from a systematic literature search across Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed for publications between 2015 and 2025. The search strategy employed keywords such as "lipid nanocarrier," "acne vulgaris," "animal models," or "preclinical studies," and "clinical trials" to capture the research landscape.

The review compiles evidence from multiple preclinical experiments and clinical trials regarding the effectiveness of lipid nanocarriers in managing acne. It explores the different pathways these lipid nanocarriers use to permeate the skin and reach target sites. Additionally, it also covers different patents filed by various researchers focusing on the application of lipid nanocarriers for acne management.

Lipid nanocarriers represent a significant advancement in dermatological drug delivery, particularly for acne management. By leveraging various skin penetration mechanisms to improve drug targeting to the pilosebaceous unit, they offer potential for more effective treatment compared to conventional methods. While promising, ongoing research and development are necessary to overcome current limitations and fully harness the potential of lipid nanocarriers in clinical practice.