Abstract
Topically applied hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrates the skin without efficient penetration. This study compared the penetration efficiency of liposomal hyaluronic acid (LPS-HA) against that of conventional HA across different models. Dynamic light scattering revealed that particles of LPS-HA (226.1 nm, PDI 0.2898) were smaller than those of HA (798.4 nm, PDI 0.8709). In Strat-M® membrane assays, permeability over 24 h was higher with LPS-HA (629.37 ± 103.26%) than that of HA (508.04 ± 93.80%; p<0.05). In keratinocytes, LPS-HA increased differentiation markers filaggrin and caspase-14 in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal induction at 1% (186.6 ± 6.99% and 249.3 ± 8.60%) vs. HA (117.9 ± 7.64% and 130.1 ± 2.90%; p<0.05). In fibroblasts, LPS-HA increased the expression of type I and type III collagens (138.4 and 133.6%) without increasing that of elastin (68.3-94.7%) and reduced UVB-induced IL-6 (79.1-90.2% of UVB; p<0.05). Ex vivo, LPS-HA enhanced HAS-3 mRNA (3.03 ± 0.19-fold vs. 1.31 ± 0.13-fold with HA; p<0.05) and increased epidermal hyaluronan staining. In PM10-treated human skin, LPS-HA reduced inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1β) and suppressed mast cell degranulation, similar to dexamethasone, and reduced ROS formation (124.46 ± 8.45% vs. 169.35 ± 9.40% in PM10-only, p<0.01) without histological abnormalities. In a 20-subject clinical study, corneometric hydration with LPS-HA was higher than that of control (96.99% vs. 36.31%; RM-ANOVA, p<0.001). Collectively, LPS-HA enhanced skin permeation, hydration, and anti-inflammatory responses, supporting its potential as a cosmetic moisturizing ingredient.