Life Sciences, Medicine and Biomedicine · Published 2026-07-16 · DOI 10.28916/lsmb.10.1.2026.216
Nur Afizah Yusoff, Aswini Kumareswaran, Zariyantey Abd Hamid, Izatus Shima Taib, Hemabarathy Bharatham
Many cosmetic products, such as lipsticks, often use synthetic dyes that have raised safety concerns. As a result, natural pigments with antioxidant properties are preferred in cosmeceutical formulations as safer alternatives. Betacyanins and anthocyanins are both two water-soluble natural pigments known for their potent antioxidant activity. However, these pigments are sensitive and can degrade quickly when exposed to heat, pH changes, or light during formulation processes. Natural pigments often show limited stability in cosmetic formulations. To address this issue, advanced technologies, such as nanocarrier-based delivery systems (e.g., liposomes, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanocapsules), have been investigated to improve pigment retention and functionality. These have been combined with betacyanin and anthocyanin pigments to evaluate improvements in stability and antioxidant activity. Studies show that integrating these pigments with nanoparticles significantly reduces degradation and preserves their antioxidant effects. Nanotechnology presents a promising approach for enhancing their robustness in cosmeceutical formulations. Nevertheless, variability in pigment source, formulation scalability, and regulatory evaluation remains a challenge for clinical translation. In conclusion, this review highlights the potential of betacyanins and anthocyanins as natural pigments and the role of nanotechnology in enhancing their use in safer, more stable cosmetic formulations.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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Yusoff, N., Kumareswaran, A., Hamid, Z., et al. (2026). A review on betacyanins and anthocyanins as water‑soluble pigments in nanotechnology‑based natural cosmeceutical formulations. Life Sciences, Medicine and Biomedicine. https://doi.org/10.28916/lsmb.10.1.2026.216