What Are Glycerosomes?
Glycerosomes are a specialized form of liposomes in which
the aqueous phase contains high levels of glycerol (20–60%).
- Role
of glycerol: acts as a humectant, binding and retaining water in the
stratum corneum.
- Role
in vesicles: stabilizes liposomal membranes, increasing flexibility
and preventing aggregation.
This unique design means glycerosomes act not only as drug delivery systems but also as skin-conditioning agents.
Effects on Skin Hydration and Barrier Properties
Moisture
Retention
Glycerol is well known for its humectant properties. In glycerosomes, its
delivery is sustained and localized, leading to longer-lasting
hydration of the stratum corneum compared to free glycerol or conventional
liposomes.
Barrier
Softening & Elasticity
Glycerosomes interact with the skin’s lipid bilayers, loosening the rigid
structure of the barrier. This makes the skin more flexible and elastic,
improving comfort and appearance.
Enhanced
Permeability
By modifying lipid packing within the stratum corneum, glycerosomes allow better
penetration of active compounds, whether hydrophilic or lipophilic.
This means antioxidants, vitamins, and therapeutic molecules can reach
deeper layers more efficiently.
Figure. Permeation into the epidermis and retention within the dermis. The data show that GLYCEROSOMES significantly increase drug retention in the stratum corneum and epidermis compared to conventional liposomes, demonstrating improved localized skin delivery.
Research Insights
- Hydration
superiority: Clinical and in vitro studies confirm that glycerosomes
improve skin hydration significantly more than conventional liposomes.
- Skin
feel: Applications report visible improvements in smoothness and
suppleness, linked to barrier softening.
- Penetration
efficiency: Drug delivery trials demonstrated higher penetration rates
for both water-soluble and fat-soluble actives when delivered via
glycerosomes.
- Stability: Glycerosomes are more stable under stress (temperature and storage) compared to standard liposomes, making them practical for commercial products.
Conclusion
Glycerosomes represent a breakthrough in topical delivery
technology. By combining the moisturizing power of glycerol with the penetration-enhancing
ability of liposomes, they offer multiple skin benefits:
- Retain moisture within the skin
- Improve softness, elasticity, and flexibility of the barrier
- Enhance delivery of active compounds
- Provide greater stability for formulations
This makes glycerosomes an ideal choice for next-generation cosmeceuticals and transdermal therapies.
References
Gupta, P., Mazumder, R., & Padhi, S. (2020). Glycerosomes: Advanced Liposomal Drug Delivery System. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 82(3). https://doi.org/10.36468/pharmaceutical-sciences.661
Zaki, R. M., Alfadhel, M. M., Alossaimi, M. A., Elsawaf, L. A., Devanathadesikan Seshadri, V., Almurshedi, A. S., Yusif, R. M., & Said, M. (2022). Central Composite Optimization of Glycerosomes for the Enhanced Oral Bioavailability and Brain Delivery of Quetiapine Fumarate. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 15(8), 940. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15080940
