Valorization of native grape pomace through vesicular nanocarriers for the enhanced delivery of high-value natural bioactive compounds in green cosmeceutical applications

What if the leftover grape skins from your favorite red wine could become the next big thing in green cosmetics? Scientists have found a way to turn this waste into a high-tech skin delivery system.

Grape pomace—the skins, seeds, and stems left after winemaking—is a treasure trove of bioactive phenolics, yet its use in cosmetics has been hampered by instability and poor skin penetration. This study dives into that challenge, testing whether different vesicular nanocarriers can change the game. The researchers extracted phenolics from three red grape varieties using a green method, then zeroed in on the most promising extract: Tinto de la Pámpana Blanca. They loaded this extract into four types of vesicles—liposomes, ethosomes, transfersomes, and penetration-enhancing vesicles (PEVs)—and compared their performance. Each vesicle type was evaluated for its physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, and biological activity in keratinocytes, the skin's primary cells. The findings reveal that vesicle composition significantly influences how well these compounds are delivered, offering a path toward more effective, natural cosmeceuticals. It's a sustainable win-win: reducing agricultural waste while boosting the efficacy of green beauty products.

Key Points

• Grape pomace extract from Tinto de la Pámpana Blanca most promising.
• Four vesicle types tested for encapsulation and bioactivity.
• Vesicle composition modulates delivery of phenolics to skin.