Psoriasis is a chronic disorder that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches. It affects nearly 2–5% of the worldwide population and has a negative effect on patient quality of life. A variety of therapeutic approaches, e.g., glucocorticoid topical therapy, have shown limited efficacy with systemic adverse reactions. Therefore, novel therapeutic agents and physicochemical formulations are in constant need and should be obtained and tested in terms of effectiveness and minimization of side effects. For that reason, the aim of our study was to design and obtain various hybrid systems, nanoemulgel–macroemulsion and nanoemulgel–oleogel (bigel), as vehicles for ursolic acid (UA) and to verify their potential as topical formulations used in psoriasis treatment. Obtained topical formulations were characterized by conducting morphological, rheological, texture, and stability analysis. To determine the safety and effectiveness of the prepared ursolic acid carriers, in vitro studies on human keratinocyte cell-like HaCaT cells were performed with cytotoxicity analysis for individual components and each formulation. Moreover, a kinetic study of ursolic acid release from the obtained systems was conducted. All of the studied UA-loaded systems were well tolerated by keratinocyte cells and had suitable pH values and stability over time. The obtained formulations exhibit an apparent viscosity, ensuring the appropriate time of contact with the skin, ease of spreading, soft consistency, and adherence to the skin, which was confirmed by texture tests. The release of ursolic acid from each of the formulations is followed by a slow, controlled release according to the Korsmeyer–Peppas and Higuchi models. The elaborated systems could be considered suitable vehicles to deliver triterpene to psoriatic skin.

Liquid soaps are the basic cosmetics used to clean the skin of the hands. Frequent hand washing prevents viral contamination but may damage the skin’s hydro-lipid layer, leading to various types of irritation. Therefore, four liquid soap formulas were developed with three amphoteric surfactants: Cocamidopropyl Betaine (LS II), CocamidopropylHydroxysultaine (LS III), and newly synthesized Evening PrimroseaamidopropylSulfobetaine (LS IV). We evaluated the skin irritating potential (zein number, bovine albumin test) and cytotoxicity (AlamarBlue™, Cell viability, and Cell cycle assays) on HaCaT cell line. We observed lower values of the zein number and bovine albumin tests after adding soaps with surfactants (the highest differences in LS IV) compared to the base soap (LS I). However, LS I and LS II did not differ in cytotoxic assays. Therefore, adding LS III and LS IV seems potentially more dangerous to the cells. However, it should be noted that cells were continuously exposed to liquid soaps for more than 24 h, so its cytotoxic effects after dermal use in humans may be unnoticeable. Concluding, results suggest that the newly synthesized LS IV should improve the safety of liquid hand washing soaps.

Emollients are valued ingredients of many cosmetic products and medical devices used to support the treatment and prevention of many skin diseases. Despite the fact that they are one of the oldest cosmetic ingredients, raw materials as well as new recipe solutions are constantly being sought, the main goal of which is to obtain products with the most favorable physicochemical properties while improving the hydration of the stratum corneum and softening and smoothing the skin. It should be noted that there are few scientific articles on the effect of emollients on the physicochemical and usable properties of emollient preparations of the body-oils type. The obtained formulations were subjected to physicochemical tests (dynamic viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, and color evaluation), and the degree of skin hydration and lubrication after application of the developed cosmetic oils was evaluated. Cosmetic oils based on natural emollients were characterized by weaker spreading abilities, which was confirmed by their higher viscosity, surface tension, and contact-angle results relative to those obtained for cosmetic oils based on synthetic emollients. In addition, it was found that the use of both groups of cosmetic oils based on natural and synthetic emollients leads to an increase in the degree of hydration of the skin and an increase in its oiliness. However, a higher increase in the degree of hydration and a lower decrease in the level of skin lubrication are observed after the application of body oils based on natural emollients.

Chitosan (CS) has emerged as a versatile biopolymer for designing drug delivery systems (DDS) in colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy due to its biocompatibility, mucoadhesive properties, and ability to be surface-functionalized. This scoping review systematically analyzed current experimental studies on CS-based DDS for CRC, comparing non-targeted formulations with ligand-modified systems to identify advances in targeting efficiency, drug release behavior, and biological outcomes. Among the twenty-five initially identified studies, divided into two categories, non-targeted CS-based DDSs and ligand-modified CS-DDSs, five fulfilled the inclusion criteria for ligand-functionalized systems. These incorporated targeting moieties, such as folic acid (FA), hyaluronic acid (HA), and galactose (Gal), to achieve receptor-mediated uptake via FRα, CD44, and ASGP receptors, respectively. Ligand modification consistently enhanced cellular uptake, reduced IC₅₀ values, and improved tumor-selective cytotoxicity compared to non-targeted systems. However, in vivo validation remains scarce, with only one study confirming tumor accumulation in xenograft models. Moreover, no clinical trials currently assess CS-based nanocarriers for the treatment of CRC. Overall, CS represents a promising modular platform for targeted nanomedicine, but translational progress requires bridging preclinical success with comprehensive in vivo and clinical evaluation.

Scrub bars are an innovative alternative to traditional liquid, semi-liquid, and oily body scrubs. Through the elimination of water from their formulas, they align with the current ‘waterless’ trend in the cosmetics market. The aims of this study were to create anhydrous formulations for body scrub bars and to assess their physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics depending on the type of exfoliant added. A total of five solid body scrub formulations were developed using different natural exfoliants: sugar, microcrystalline cellulose, ground coffee beans, corn granules, and sodium chloride. The shape and dimensions of the exfoliant particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The formulations were subjected to texturometric tests. The final products underwent color assessment along with a consumer evaluation of sensory appeal. The test results showed that the body scrubs exhibiting the highest hardness and adhesive force were those containing exfoliants with small particles, either angular (sodium chloride) or subrounded (Coffea arabica seed powder) in shape. Conversely, the lowest hardness was determined for the product formulated with the addition of an exfoliant with well-rounded particles (microcrystalline cellulose). Among the exfoliants tested, microcrystalline cellulose proved to be the most suitable for body scrubs, demonstrating superior texture and exfoliating effectiveness. However, cosmetics containing ground coffee received the highest esthetic ratings. Coffee gave the product a natural color and an appealing scent, as judged by the testers.

The study addressed the effect of the structure of silicone polyethers on selected functional properties of cotton fabric rinsed in conditioners containing the additives under study. Fabric softener formulations containing two comb-structured compounds (PEG/PPG-14/0 Dimethicone and PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone) and one block-structured compound (Bis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone) were developed. Cotton fabric rinsed in conditioners containing silicone glycols was not found to be affected by yellowing. However, differences were noted in the softening ability and re-wettability of rinsed fabrics due to diverse structures of the additives used. The most desirable soft hand effect was observed after cotton rinsing in fabric softeners containing the block-structured compound Bis-PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone. In contrast, the highest fabric re-wettability was shown for the conditioner enriched with a comb-structured compound (PEG/PPG-20/20 Dimethicone). The study results demonstrate that the prototypical fabric softeners containing silicone derivatives have a potential to provide quality characteristic required by consumers of this product group.