Natural bioenhancers for dermal delivery: Mechanisms, formulation design and cosmeceutical applications

Habibi, E ORCID: 0000-0002-7367-1484, Panahi, L, Abdelfattah, GMM, Hosseinzadeh, MH ORCID: 0000-0002-7652-9563, Kousar, M ORCID: 0009-0009-6102-3234, Sarker, SD ORCID: 0000-0003-4038-0514 and Nahar, L ORCID: 0000-0002-1157-2405 (2026) Natural bioenhancers for dermal delivery: Mechanisms, formulation design and cosmeceutical applications. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 127. ISSN 1773-2247

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Abstract

Natural bioenhancers have emerged as promising strategies for improving dermal and transdermal delivery of cosmetic and therapeutic products. Natural bioenhancers comprise diverse chemical classes, including alkaloids, fatty acids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, saponins, triterpenoids, and others, each contributing distinct structural features that influence interactions with the stratum corneum. These interactions include modulation of lipid packing, increased membrane fluidity, enhanced hydration, keratin-associated effects and changes in the microenvironment at the formulation-skin interface. Advances in molecular and biophysical studies have clarified how polarity, chain length, unsaturation, volatility and stereochemistry shape enhancer performance across hydrophilic and lipophilic actives. Alongside mechanistic insights, contemporary formulation science has adopted natural bioenhancers within nanoemulsions, lipid carriers, ethosomes, nanoemulgels, hydrogels and natural deep eutectic solvent systems. These platforms support improved solubility, stability and controlled release, while enabling targeted delivery to the stratum corneum, viable epidermis or hair follicles. Applications include anti-ageing, skin-brightening, anti-inflammatory and barrier-repairing products, and scalp-delivery formulations, with growing emphasis on biocompatibility and long-term tolerability. This review integrates current evidence on the chemistry, mechanisms and formulation strategies of natural bioenhancers and outlines their expanding role in cosmeceutical innovation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Natural bioenhancers; Skin permeation mechanisms; Formulation strategies; Cosmeceutical applications; 3206 Medical Biotechnology; 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences; Bioengineering; Nanotechnology; 5.1 Pharmaceuticals; 1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; 3214 Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
Subjects:	R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Divisions:	Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier BV
Date of acceptance:	3 September 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	28 September 2026
Date Deposited:	28 Sep 2026 10:39
Last Modified:	28 Sep 2026 10:39
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.jddst.2026.108910
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29539

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