Lotus-Leaf-Extract-Based Nanoformulation for Sensitive Skin: Whitening and Barrier-Supporting Properties

Sensitive skin caused by environmental and seasonal factors has become a global issue, and daily skin care can help alleviate symptoms through gentle formulations with effective ingredients. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a multifunctional lotus-leaf-extract-based nanoformulation for sensitive skin care, integrating whitening, barrier restoration, and moisturizing effects. The cream was structurally characterized as an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion through oil/water dilution, cobalt chloride paper impregnation, and microscopic analyses, which collectively confirmed its O/W structure. Rheological testing and stability analysis revealed pseudoplastic behavior with low viscosity, ensuring rapid absorption and minimal residue, while maintaining stability and robustness under extreme temperatures (-20 to 45 °C, 72 h) and centrifugation (3000 rpm for 30 min). Functional assessments demonstrated strong antioxidant activity (71.01% DPPH scavenging at 0.10 g mL⁻¹) and sustained moisturization (65.23% retention over 24 h), along with broad-spectrum UV absorbance (280-400 nm) indicating photoprotective potential comparable to standard UV filters. Safety profiling confirmed biological compatibility through pH testing and antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli and S. aureus and showed mild irritation in CAM assays, with an ES score of 3.0 indicating a mild level of irritation. Mechanistically, the formulation acts via synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways to mitigate oxidative stress, restore epidermal barrier integrity, and suppress melanogenesis, and these mechanistic insights are inferred from the literature evidence rather than direct in vitro or in vivo experiments. Overall, these findings highlight the lotus-leaf-extract-based nanoformulation as a dual-action therapeutic strategy for sensitive skin, effectively combining whitening efficacy with barrier repair.