Safety of the application of nanosilver and nanogold in topical cosmetic preparations

Abstract

The safety of the use of cosmetic preparations with silver or gold nanoparticles was assessed. This study describes the methodology and results of research involving the generation of suspensions of silver and gold nanoparticles and creams with added silver or gold at concentrations of 20, 65, 110, 155, and 200 mg/kg. The silver nanoparticles ranged from 8 to 140 nm, and the gold nanoparticles, measured 13-99 nm. The sizes were determined using dynamic light scattering. The presence of metallic nanoparticles in the obtained oil-in-water emulsions was confirmed with UV-vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy with an X-ray scattering spectrometer (TEM-EDX). Additionally, based on the TEM-EDX results, it was possible to analyse the distributions of the silver nanoparticles in the tested cosmetic emulsions. Microbiological tests showed that both the silver and gold nanoparticle emulsion possessed satisfactory fungicidal properties. Based on viscosity curves, the lowest estimated yield limits were achieved by the reference cream and the creams with the gold and silver nanoparticles at concentrations of 20 and 65 mg/kg, respectively, which improved their consistencies and distributions on the skin. The best appraisals from the respondents in terms of consistency, absorption, oiling, colour, and smell were received for the emulsion containing 200 mg/kg gold nanoparticles. The worst assessment in terms of uniformity, colour, and smell were obtained for the emulsion with 200 mg/kg silver nanoparticles. However, the most important aspect of this study was the assessment of the permeabilities of the metallic nanoparticles through imitation skin in the form of dermal membranes. The highest permeabilities were confirmed for the creams with metallic nanoparticles present at 110--200 mg/kg. This permeability is an issue of concern given the toxic properties of metallic nanoparticles for living organisms.

Keywords: Biocidal properties; Model dermal membrane; Nanogold; Nanosilver; Oil in water emulsions; Permeation studies.