Microemulsions and Nanoparticles as Carriers for Dermal and Transdermal Drug Delivery

The major obstacle of dermal and transdermal therapeutics is the low penetration rate of xenobiotics through the skin due to the diffusional barrier of its upper layer, the stratum corneum. A wide array of techniques has been proposed thus far, however, recent developments in the application of nanosystems for topical drug administration have gained much interest and optimism. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the main types of nanocarriers that have been studied and developed up-to-date. We conclude that the nanosystems may become a useful dosage form for a variety of dermally active principals by modulating drug transfer and serving as nontoxic penetration enhancers.