ABSTRACT
Liposomes are microscopic lipid vesicles. They are found naturally in human milk (1) and are dynamic entities on many levels. Liposomes provide a valuable tool for dermatological formulation strategy because of their various proven benefits (2-5). Topically applied drug products using liposome technology were first commercialized in Switzerland when Janssen-Cilag launched Peveryl Lipogel in 1988. A decade later the first topical liposome drug product introduced in the U.S. was ELA-Max1, developed and commercialized by Ferndale Laboratories, Inc. Other pharmaceutical companies have used liposome encapsulation in topical preparations for functional purposes including, improving percutaneous penetration, increasing therapeutic efficacy, and targeting specific sites in the skin. Table 1 shows examples of several dermatological products that have become commercial successes.
