Phyto-Nanoemulgel Incorporating Colocasia esculenta Leaf Extract for Enhanced Skin Penetration and Targeted Anti-Acne Therapy

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that commonly affects adolescents and young adults and increasingly persists into adulthood. The pathogenesis of acne involves excessive sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, colonization by Cutibacterium acnes, and inflammatory responses, resulting in significant physical and psychosocial burden. Conventional anti-acne therapies, including topical antibiotics, retinoids, and benzoyl peroxide, are widely prescribed; however, their prolonged use is associated with adverse effects such as skin irritation, erythema, dryness, photosensitivity, and the development of antibiotic resistance, leading to poor patient compliance. Herbal medicines have gained growing interest in dermatological applications due to their natural origin, multi-targeted pharmacological actions, and improved safety profile. Several medicinal plants exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties relevant to acne management. Nevertheless, conventional topical herbal formulations often suffer from limitations such as poor solubility, limited skin penetration, low bioavailability, and instability of phytoconstituents. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have emerged as promising strategies to overcome these challenges and improve therapeutic outcomes. Nanoemulgels, which combine nanoemulsions with gel-based systems, offer advantages including enhanced dermal penetration, improved drug stability, controlled release, and better patient acceptability. Phyto-nanoemulgels integrate herbal bioactives with advanced nanocarriers, providing an effective platform for targeted topical therapy. Colocasia esculenta leaf extract, rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, has demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities that are highly relevant to acne pathophysiology. This review critically discusses acne vulgaris, limitations of conventional therapies, the role of herbal drugs and nanotechnology in dermatology, and highlights the potential of Colocasia esculenta-based phyto-nanoemulgel systems as novel and targeted anti-acne therapies.