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With an annual production rate of 98,000 metric tons in the USA, lecithin is considered one of the most important chemicals owing to its multifunctional properties. Lecithin, a group of natural phospholipids derived from soybeans, sunflower seeds, egg yolks, and other animal tissues, is widely used in cosmetics due to its amphiphilic structure and multifunctional properties. As an emulsifier, lecithin enhances the solubility and stability of active ingredients with recent studies demonstrating that lecithin-based emulsions increased the aqueous solubility of curcumin by 1700 times (from 0.59–0.6 μg/mL to 1026 μg/mL) while maintaining stability at temperatures of 25–80°C. Additionally, lecithin aids in skin hydration, strengthens the skin barrier, and facilitates transdermal drug delivery. Its role in advanced drug delivery systems is noteworthy as it forms liposomes and nanoemulsions, significantly improving the penetration of active compounds. Numerous clinical studies confirm that lecithin-based formulations exhibit high skin compatibility, reduced irritation, and extended product stability and shelf life. The future of lecithin in cosmetics is promising with the development of natural and organic products, along with advanced technology to meet the growing market demand. • Lecithin acts as a natural emulsifier in cosmetic formulations. • Lecithin enhances stability, moisturizes, and aids ingredient penetration. • Lecithin forms liposomes and nanoemulsions for better delivery. • Combining lecithin with actives reduces irritation and boosts efficacy. • Advances in lecithin support sustainable, multifunctional products.
Thy et al. (Thu,) studied this question.