Emulgels powered by coco-glucoside: A stable and effective synbiotics delivery system for skin care

The synergy of prebiotics and probiotics in the form of emulgels offers a promising solution and may be an essential strategy for delivering bioactive substances to protect the skin. In this study, a series of emulgels were created by incorporating Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) with lactobionic acid, xylitol, and inulin. Additionally, the surfactant coco-glucoside (CG) was used to formulate the emulgel, which served as a crucial emulsifier. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the emulgels, several analyses were conducted. These included examinations of their microscopic structure, physicochemical properties (such as pH, density, and acidity), spreadability, stability under various conditions (including temperature and centrifugation), and rheological characteristics. Furthermore, sensory evaluations and surface texture analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM) were conducted to determine their suitability for cosmetic products. Experimental data confirmed that all emulgels maintained stability, which was linked to the absence of phase separation. Key metrics showed spreadability ranged from 38.7 to 48.3 mm, pH from 3.55 to 5.64 and density from 0.87 to 0.99 g/mL. The unique formulation of the developed emulgels offers adequate support for the skin's natural barrier, creating a stable environment that preserves the viability of probiotics for up to 11 days. This represents an innovative approach to designing advanced active substance delivery systems for the skin. Our results provide a strong foundation for the creation and enhancement of emulgels made with nonionic surfactant, presenting promising and reliable methods for developing sophisticated skincare products.