Nanostructured lipid carrier system encapsulating bergamot essential oil within an ionic gel-virgin coconut oil matrix: A promising approach for skin health care.

Skin aging is a biological process, characterized by wrinkle formation, loss of elasticity, and decreased hydration. It is influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including ultraviolet (UV) exposure, pollution, and oxidative stress. This study developed a topical formulation combining bergamot essential oil (EOBs) and virgin coconut oil within an ionic gel system, encapsulated in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), aiming to provide anti-aging, moisturizing, and UV-protective benefits. The GEOBs-VNLCs ionic gel formulation was prepared using a gelation method that combined sonication with dropwise stirring, followed by encapsulation within an NLC matrix via heating and homogenization, involving the formation of lipid and aqueous phases. The GEOBs-VNLCs formulation exhibited an average particle size of 140 ± 1.79 nm, low polydispersity (0.24 ± 0.02), negative zeta potential (-31.93 ± 1.17 mV), skin-compatible pH (5.13 ± 0.12), and high encapsulation efficiency (69.20 ± 0.57%), indicating good physicochemical stability for topical application. The formulation demonstrated moderate antioxidant activity (Half-maximal inhibitory concentration 7.39 μg/mL; 0.288 mg AAE/g dw), negligible improvement in skin hydration (P > 0.05), and low photoprotective performance (sun protection factor 8.12; PA+). The GEOBs-VNLCs formulation shows potential as a multifunctional, natural-based skincare system with antioxidant, moisturizing, and mild photoprotective properties.