Advanced Cosmetic Ingredient Delivery Systems with Mesoporous Silica

Advanced Cosmetic Ingredient Delivery Systems with Mesoporous Silica

Introduction to Mesoporous Silica for Cosmetic Ingredient Delivery
Nanocarrier-based delivery systems can enhance the permeability, stability and bioavailability of active ingredients to improve cosmetic efficacy.1 In particular, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have high pore volume and surface area, facilitating high-capacity loading of active ingredients. In addition, the MSN surface can be chemically modified to support integration into aqueous and oil-based formulations and enable controlled release of actives. This makes MSNs a versatile platform for cosmetic ingredient delivery.

These properties make nanoparticle and microparticles especially appealing to cosmetic formulators, as they help overcome common delivery challenges such as poor solubility, instability, and release.2 Nanocarriers have been used to improve cosmetic ingredient delivery for a range of actives including retinol, antioxidants, enzymes, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and organic UV filters. In one study on retinol, silica-based nanocarriers protected retinol from degradation and provided sustained release, increasing its half-life ninefold in comparison to unencapsulated retinol. The nanocarrier formulation also reduced skin irritation compared to standard formulations, demonstrating nanocarriers can increase both the efficacy and safety of cosmetic bioactives.3

Nanocarriers have been used to improve cosmetic ingredient delivery for a range of actives including retinol, antioxidants, enzymes, peptides, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and organic UV filters.

MSNs are well-organized structures with tunable pore size and capacity for independent surface modification. These features enable efficient loading and controlled release of cosmetic actives. As a result, MSNs have been widely investigated for cosmetic and dermatological applications, particularly in anti-aging, sun protection, and antioxidant formulations. Encapsulation of actives such as oxybenzone, quercetin, azelaic acid, calcium, morin (a flavonoid), and vitamin E has been shown to improve stability, enhance bioavailability, and reduce irritation, supporting both performance and safety enhancements.7

In addition to improving the efficacy and safety of cosmetic actives, MSNs are widely regarded as biocompatible and safe. They are composed of amorphous silica, a material with a well-established safety profile and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for several applications. MSNs degrade into soluble silicic acid, which is readily cleared from the body, further supporting their biocompatibility.4-6 

nanoComposix offers a portfolio of MSNs engineered to support cosmetic ingredient delivery, providing researchers the flexibility to select the optimal nanoparticle platform for their active ingredient(s). Current product offerings include 100 nm particles with the following pore arrangements:

 Pore type Small Pore Hexagonal
MCM-41		 Large Pore
Radial

 		Extra Large Pore
Radial
Pore size 2-4 nm 5-9 nm 10-25 nm
Ideal ingredient size Under 1 kDa Under 100 kDa Above 100 kDa
Compatible cosmetic actives Small molecules Peptides, small proteins Large proteins and enzymes

Table 1. nanoComposix mesoporous silica nanoparticle portfolio

In addition to these platforms, nanoComposix offers advanced customization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles and microparticles to optimize active loading, release kinetics, and integration into your formulation. Custom development efforts may include tuning particle size, engineering surface chemistry for improved dispersion or targeted interactions, and tailoring pore architecture to achieve desired release profiles. These modifications are designed to enhance active ingredient stability, bioavailability, and overall performance while maintaining formulation safety and scalability.

To further refine formulation performance, MSNs can also incorporate controllable pore opening mechanisms that respond to environmental triggers such as pH, temperature, light, or enzymatic activity to initiate pore opening and active ingredient release. This stimulus-responsive design enables formulators to prevent ingredients from early release, achieve sustained or targeted cosmetic ingredient delivery, and prevent sensitive bioactives from degradation. 8,9

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles can also incorporate controllable pore opening mechanisms that respond to environmental triggers such as pH, temperature, light, or enzymatic activity to initiate pore opening and active ingredient release.

Summary 
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) offer cosmetic formulators a powerful way to improve active ingredient stability, loading, and controlled release. Their tunable pore structures and surface chemistry help protect sensitive actives, enhance performance, and reduce irritation. Overall, MSNs provide a flexible platform for cosmetic ingredient delivery, overcoming common formulation challenges and advancing next-generation cosmetic products.

Talk to our team of nanoparticle development experts to explore how mesoporous silica platforms can elevate your formulation. 

Additional resources

References 

  1. Yan, Z.; Zhang, S.; Wu, G.; Kang, Y.; Fu, C.; Wang, Z.; Wang, G.; Tang, L.; Wang, W. Advances in Nanotechnology-Based Topical Delivery Systems for Skincare Applications. Pharmaceutics 2026, 18 (1), 63. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010063.
  2. Oliveira, C.; Coelho, C.; Teixeira, J. A.; Ferreira-Santos, P.; Botelho, C. M. Nanocarriers as Active Ingredients Enhancers in the Cosmetic Industry—The European and North America Regulation Challenges. Molecules 2022, 27 (5), 1669. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051669.
  3. Shields, C. W.; White, J. P.; Osta, E. G.; Patel, J.; Rajkumar, S.; Kirby, N.; Therrien, J.-P.; Zauscher, S. Encapsulation and Controlled Release of Retinol from Silicone Particles for Topical Delivery. J. Controlled Release 2018, 278, 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2018.03.023.
  4. Croissant, J. G.; Butler, K. S.; Zink, J. I.; Brinker, C. J. Synthetic Amorphous Silica Nanoparticles: Toxicity, Biomedical and Environmental Implications. Nat. Rev. Mater. 2020, 5 (12), 886–909. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-020-0230-0.
  5. Vallet-Regí, M.; Schüth, F.; Lozano, D.; Colilla, M.; Manzano, M. Engineering Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery: Where Are We after Two Decades? Chem. Soc. Rev. 2022, 51 (13), 5365–5451. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CS00659B.
  6. Janjua, T. I.; Cao, Y.; Kleitz, F.; Linden, M.; Yu, C.; Popat, A. Silica Nanoparticles: A Review of Their Safety and Current Strategies to Overcome Biological Barriers. Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 2023, 203, 115115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2023.115115.
  7. Budiman, A.; Amarilis, B.; Nur Ichsani, L.; Shabrina, A.; Hanifah, H.; Emamia, E.; Aulifa, D. Innovative Approaches to Enhancing Formulations and Skin Care Efficacy Through Mesoporous Silica Advancements. Int. J. Nanomedicine 2025, Volume 20, 13543–13561. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S557796.
  8. Cheng, W.; Nie, J.; Xu, L.; Liang, C.; Peng, Y.; Liu, G.; Wang, T.; Mei, L.; Huang, L.; Zeng, X. pH-Sensitive Delivery Vehicle Based on Folic Acid-Conjugated Polydopamine-Modified Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Targeted Cancer Therapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2017, 9 (22), 18462–18473. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b02457.
  9. Ugazio, E.; Gastaldi, L.; Brunella, V.; Scalarone, D.; Jadhav, S. A.; Oliaro-Bosso, S.; Zonari, D.; Berlier, G.; Miletto, I.; Sapino, S. Thermoresponsive Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a Carrier for Skin Delivery of Quercetin. Int. J. Pharm. 2016, 511 (1), 446–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2016.07.024.
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