Emerging Nanotechnologies in Dermatological Drug Delivery: Progress, Challenges and Future Directions

Nanotechnology in dermatology is one of the most cutting-edge fields with increasing scientific and commercial interest. Innovative methods in medical diagnosis, tracking, and treatment are some of the applications of nanomedicine in the field of dermatology. Nanosized structures such as nanoemulsions (NE), nanocapsules, nanosomes, niosomes, or liposomes made of conventional cosmetic materials are often a feature of emerging dermatological trends. The development of these nanosized structures as advanced drug delivery systems facilitates sustained release and localised treatment with improved bioavailability and enhanced penetration of active ingredients, effectively addressing various skin conditions, such as psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, acne, atopic dermatitis, skin cancers and wound healing. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, significant regulatory, toxicity, and safety challenges hinder the clinical use of nanotechnology-based dermatological products. Risks include nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, cytotoxicity, and unintended cellular uptake, which can cause tissue buildup and harmful biological effects. Safety assessment is complicated by limited data on long-term dermal distribution, nanoparticle penetration of damaged skin, microbiome interactions, and underrepresentation of vulnerable groups in studies. Regulatory uncertainty persists due to a lack of harmonised global guidelines for nanomaterial classification, standardisation, and risk assessment, resulting in ambiguous approval pathways. Inconsistent testing methods further hinder the establishment of standard safety benchmarks. In this study, various types of nanoparticles utilised in dermatology were given particular consideration.