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I was of the impression that liposomes are the magic ingredients to help active ingredients penetrate the top layers of the skin to reach those target areas where they are needed.

That was until I stumbled upon this article….

What are liposomes?

Liposomes are, by definition, a tiny bubble (vesicle), made out of the same material as a cell membrane used to deliver chemicals in solutions (Wikipedia). This ingredient was originally developed to transport drugs through the body to treat cancer and other diseases, but cosmetics companies have began using Liposomes because of their unique ability to provide cells with critical nutrients and the nourishment necessary to promote collagen production.

Liposomes are a popular ingredient in anti-aging products because of their ability to capture and deliver active anti-aging ingredients through the layers of skin right down to the cellular level where they can be most productive, according to the Skin Care Resource Center.

However, a new study conducted by the University of Southern Denmark, puts forward research that proves liposomes do not penetrate the skin’s surface or carry active ingredients across the skins barrier as previously thought.

The research, published in plos One, was authored by post-doctoral researcher Jes Dreier and Associate professor Jonathan Brewer from the department of Biochemistry and Molecular biology.

Furthermore, a 2013 study shed light on the reality that Liposomes loose their cargo of agents on contact with the skin. Following this scientists confirm that that liposomes cannot cross the skin barrier intact, but break when they touch the skin’s surface.

Researcher however added that when the liposomes hit the skin and break, it is not certain that the active agents are wasted. It may well be that a chemical reaction starts, which somehow helps the agents travel through the skins barrier.

So in a way… you could say that liposomes may work, but not in the way that the beauty industry tell us.

 

 

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