Abstract

Hamdan Suhaimi^* and Laili Che Rose

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/320434

Looking oneself directly into a mirror and what does one see? The answer is of course one’s face. Taking good care of ones skin is synonymous to beauty and healthy life style. However, beauty last only as thick as a skin layer so the saying goes. While, liquid crystal, as the name implies, it looks like a crystal but flow like a liquid. Thus, how doesthis stucture called liquid crystal relate to skin and beauty? As most of us are aware skin and liquid crystalall around us, be it naturally or in technological applications. Our body body are covered with skin and liquid crystals. Surprise as it may seem but that is a fact, albeit peculiar to some. Classic example of natural liquid crystals are protein and cell membranes, while in industrial application such as electronic devices,for instance, screen of our laptop, digital watches and latest application in cosmeceuticals that isliquid crystal crystal emulsion. The question now arise is how does skin relate to liquid crystal? Why is it that this structure is crucial to the structure and function of skin? How does it relate to the delivery system of active ingredients which is important in many cosmeceuticals product? This paper will provide a brief review on the relationship of these two entities and present some work done in this area of interest. A model for the lipids of the top most layer of the skin namely stratum corneum will be highlighted.

Skin; stratum corneum; liquid crystal; surfactant

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