Hydrogels are cross-linked networks of macromolecular compounds characterized by high water absorption capacity. Such materials find a wide range of biomedical applications. Several polymeric hydrogels can also be used in cosmetics. Herein, the structure, properties and selected applications of hydrogels in cosmetics are discussed in general. Detailed examples from scientific literature are also shown. In this review paper, most common biopolymers used in cosmetics are presented in detail together with issues related to skin treatment and hair conditioning. Hydrogels based on collagen, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and other polysaccharides have been characterized. New trends in the preparation of hydrogels based on biopolymer blends as well as bigels have been shown. Moreover, biopolymer hydrogels employment in encapsulation has been mentioned.

Centre for Biomaterials Cellular and Molecular Theranostics VIT Vellore India

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun Faculty of Chemistry Department of Chemistry of Biomaterials and Cosmetics Gagarin 7 street 87 100 Torun Poland

President Stanisław Wojciechowski State University of Applied Sciences in Kalisz Medical Faculty Nowy Świat 4 st 62 800 Kalisz Poland

Technical University of Liberec Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Department of Material Science Liberec Czech Republic

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