Characterization and evaluation of free and nanostructured ursolic acid incorporated in cosmetic formulation using thermal analysis

The ursolic acid (UA) increases the skin’s barrier function and acts in epidermal differentiation of keratinocytes in the epidermis, promoting cell renewal. Besides the mentioned properties UA also has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-irritant functions to cosmetic formulations. Thus, it is necessary formulation studies to insure the development of quality cosmetic products containing this active, increasing its antioxidant potential within nanoparticles. This study aims to characterize and evaluate the thermal behavior of UA in free and nanostructured forms, and both incorporated into a cosmetic base formulation, using thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Through the study were observed that free UA, in the embedded nanoparticles and in base formulation exhibited different behavior in similar thermal profile and relative to the presence of UA. The UA remained stable to a temperature of 250 °C and the technique has been shown to be effective for characterizing UA, evaluate water content, and stability of the formulation base.