Ateneo - UPO

• Liquid and dispersed systems for topical intent.
• Semi-solid dosage forms: dermatological and cosmetic formulations.
• Preparation of dermatological formulations.
• Preparation of cosmetic products.

The Design and Manufacture of Medicines; K. Aulton, Elsevier.
Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology; A. O. Barel et al., CRC Press.
Introduction to cosmetic formulation and technology; Gabriella Baki et al., Wiley, 2015.
Notes and handouts distributed during seminars.

The course aims to provide students with the basic principles of the formulation, illustrating in particular the physical-chemical characteristics of the excipients used for the preparation of dosage forms for topical application. An overview of skin care, sun care and decorative products will also be presented.
Moreover, the course aims to provide the students with adequate information regarding manufacturing techniques of topical dosage forms; preparation of makeup and skincare products.

Basic knowledge of chemistry, human anatomy and physiology of skin; fundamentals of medicinal chemistry and pharmacology.

The course makes use of seminars, lectures and lab practicals.

The frequency of the lessons – both frontal and preparatory to the laboratory – and the practical laboratory exercises are mandatory and certified by the teachers.
It is not allowed to record, video-record and photograph the lessons – both frontal and preparatory to the laboratory.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities.
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam relating to the pharmaceutical formulation will cover the topics delivered in seminars. The written test will consist of multiple choice (20 questions for each 4-hour block): true/false type questions are the most frequent types of questions. 1 point for the correct answer, 0 points for wrong or blank answers.
The exam relating to the cosmetic formulation will take place during the laboratory in the form of multiple choice questions (relating to the lectures) and the performance of the students during the practical part of the course.
Both tests aim to verify the knowledge and ability of the students to apply in an independent way the knowledge acquired. Moreover, the communication skills of the students will be evaluated, particularly the use of specific language for the technological discipline.
During the practical laboratory, the ability to apply the knowledge acquired will be evaluated, considering the accurate presentation of the topical preparation.
The evaluation will consider the learning abilities of the students, in particular the ability to deal with formulative challenges in the field of topical preparations. The exam will take place during the official dates, and the grade will be expressed in thirtieths, as the average mark obtained for each part of the course.

•Introduction: Dosage forms. Factors affecting the absorption of the drug substance from different administration routes.
•Liquid and dispersed systems for topical intent: types (solutions, colloids, suspensions, emulsions), properties, stability, excipients, pharmaceutical applications, requirements.
•Semisolid preparations: rational approach to drug delivery to and via the skin; physical-chemical and biological factors affecting drug penetration, percutaneous permeation and absorption. Principles of rheology, excipients. Dermatological formulations: gels, ointments, creams, pastes, patches and sunscreens. Transdermal therapeutic systems.
•Cosmetic formulations: skin care, hair care and sun care formulations; decorative products.
•The techniques for the formulation of cosmetic and dermatological products.

At the end of the course, students will be required to know the main technological characteristics of the excipients used in topical forms, both dermatological and cosmetic. The student will be able to formulate topical preparations based on synthetic and natural bioactive compounds.