| Summary: | Conventional and herbal active principles can be combined in a beneficial harmony using their best features and compensating for the certain weaknesses of each. The study will answer the question, “how can willow bark extract (<i>Wbe</i>) or ivy leaf extract (<i>Ile</i>) influence the photoprotective, skin permeation and hydration properties of Bioactive Lipid Nanocarriers (BLN) loaded with UV-filters and selected herbals?”. BLN-<i>Wbe/Ile</i>-UV-filters were characterized for particle size, zeta potential, thermal behavior, entrapment efficiency and drug loading. The formulated BLN-hydrogels (HG) were subjected to <i>in vitro</i> release and permeation experiments. The <i>in vitro</i> determination of sun protection factors, as well as comparative <i>in vitro</i> photostability tests, rheology behavior and <i>in vivo</i> hydration status have been also considered for hydrogels containing BLN-<i>Ile</i>/<i>Wbe</i>-UV-filters. Photoprotection of BLN-HG against UVA rays was more pronounced as compared with the UVB (UVA-PF reached values of 30, while the maximum SPF value was 13). The <i>in vitro</i> irradiation study demonstrated the photostability of BLN-HG under UV exposure. A noteworthy cosmetic efficacy was detected by <i>in vivo</i> skin test (hydration effect reached 97% for the BLN-<i>Wbe</i>-UV-filters prepared with pomegranate oil). The research novelty, represented by the first-time co-optation of the active herbal extracts (<i>Wbe</i> and <i>Ile</i>) together with two synthetic filters in the same nanostructured delivery system, will provide appropriate scientific support for the cosmetic industry to design novel marketed formulations with improved quality and health benefices.
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