Enhanced Occlusiveness of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC)-based Carbogel as a Skin Moisturizing Vehicle

Abstract

In order to develop a topical preparation which has a high occlusive property with skin moisturization, nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) systems along with solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) were designed. Various NLC dispersions were successfully formulated with Compritol 888 ATO as a solid lipid, Labrafil M 1944 CS as an oil, and Tween 80 as a surfactant. The increase of oil content (5 to 50%) led to the decrease in the occlusion factor in the order of SLN > NLC-5 > NLC-15 = NLC-30 > NLC-50. Particle size of lipid particulates was in the range of 100 to 160 nm. NLC-based carbogels were prepared by the employment of humectants such as urea, glycerin, and Tinocare GL to carbomer gel. NLC-30 gel formulations containing 4 or 8 % of lipid particles showed improved occlusive effect in vitro, compared to NLCfree gel base. Even though NLC-free gel base revealed comparable occlusion effect by itself, the occlusion factor of 4 %NLC-30 gel was about 2-fold higher than that of NLC-free gel base.