Foam-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Skin Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Foam-based drug delivery systems signify a significant innovation in dermatology, facilitating improved drug penetration and administration via a gas-liquid dispersion matrix. These formulations have shown considerable promise in the medical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields. Recent improvements in topical foams have resulted in their extensive utilization in dermatological therapies, with a growing emphasis on categorization techniques grounded in formulation composition and the creation of novel methodologies for assessing essential physicochemical factors. Foam formulations comprising calcipotriol and betamethasone demonstrate 30% enhanced therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of psoriasis compared to traditional topical therapies. The low-density, aerated structure of foams promotes improved skin covering and hydration, which is especially advantageous for disorders like eczema. Moreover, novel advances such as propellant-free foams and the incorporation of nanotechnology have broadened the use of foam-based delivery methods in targeted drug administration and customized medicine. Ongoing research into new biomaterials and refined formulation procedures seeks to overcome these constraints, ensuring that foam-based systems emerge as a breakthrough method in dermatological care. These systems promise to enhance clinical results and overall patient quality of life by increasing medication bioavailability, patient adherence, and therapeutic effectiveness.

Graphical Abstract