Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic-induced inhibition of cell adhesion and toxicity evaluation using human dermal fibroblast-derived spheroids

Researchers developed a three-dimensional cell model using human skin cells to test how microplastics affect cell behavior and adhesion. They found that microplastic exposure significantly reduced the ability of cells to stick together and form proper tissue structures. The study provides new evidence that microplastics may interfere with basic cellular functions relevant to skin health and wound healing.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 26 citations
Article Tier 2

[Microplastic and skin-an update].

This review summarizes current evidence on microplastics (1–5000 µm) and nanoplastics as skin-relevant pollutants, covering how they enter and interact with skin tissue. Evidence suggests dermal uptake is possible, particularly through damaged skin, and that these particles may carry additional chemical hazards.

2026 Dermatologie (Heidelberg, Germany)
Article Tier 2

Penetration of Microplastics and Nanoparticles Through Skin: Effects of Size, Shape, and Surface Chemistry

This review examines how micro- and nanoplastics can penetrate human skin, with smaller particles being more likely to pass through. Beyond direct toxicity, these tiny plastic particles may also carry harmful chemicals through the skin barrier, acting as unwanted delivery vehicles for toxic substances we encounter in the environment.

2024 Journal of Xenobiotics 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Prospects on the nano-plastic particles internalization and induction of cellular response in human keratinocytes

Researchers isolated nano-sized plastic particles from commercial face scrubs and tested their effects on human skin cells (keratinocytes), finding that plastic nanoparticles adhered to cells and were taken up into them. This raises concerns about microplastic absorption through the skin from cosmetic products.

2021 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Understanding the Risk of Microplastic Dermal Absorption

This review examines the understudied pathway of microplastic absorption through the skin, highlighting a significant research gap compared to inhalation and ingestion routes. Researchers analyzed the potential mechanisms by which small plastic particles in skincare and cosmetic products could penetrate skin barriers. The study calls for more research into dermal absorption risks, particularly given the continued growth of the personal care product industry.

2026 Scholarly review .
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of potential toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on human derived cell lines

Researchers tested the toxic effects of two sizes of polyethylene microplastics on human cell lines representing different tissue types. They found that microplastic exposure triggered inflammatory responses and caused cellular damage, with effects varying depending on particle size and cell type. The findings suggest that microplastics commonly encountered in everyday life could pose health risks when they interact with human tissues.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 168 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in dermatology: Potential effects on skin homeostasis

This study highlights the growing concern that microplastics and nanoplastics may affect skin health by disrupting the skin's natural balance. While research is still early, the findings suggest that these synthetic particles could interfere with skin homeostasis, pointing to a need for further investigation into how everyday plastic exposure might affect our largest organ.

2024 Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellular response of keratinocytes to the entry and accumulation of nanoplastic particles

Researchers studied how nanoplastic particles interact with human skin cells when the protective outer skin layer is compromised. They found that nanoplastics readily penetrate and accumulate inside skin cells, triggering stress responses and activating inflammatory pathways -- suggesting that people with damaged or sensitive skin may be especially vulnerable to nanoplastic absorption.

2024 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Human skin and micro- and nanoplastics: a mini-review

This review explores how micro- and nanoplastics interact with human skin, a less-studied route of exposure compared to ingestion and inhalation. Researchers found that tiny plastic particles can penetrate the skin barrier through cosmetics, contaminated water, and airborne pollution. The study suggests that skin exposure to these particles may contribute to overall human microplastic burden, though more research is needed to fully understand the health implications.

2024 MOJ Ecology & Environmental Sciences 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Human organoids to assess environmental contaminants toxicity and mode of action: towards New Approach Methodologies

This review explores how human organoids, miniature lab-grown organ models, can be used to test the toxicity of environmental contaminants including microplastics. These 3D tissue models offer a more accurate picture of how pollutants affect human cells than traditional lab tests, though more work is needed to simulate the chronic, low-dose exposures people actually experience.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics, Skin Disease, and Dermatology

This review examined the risks that microplastics and nanoplastics pose to skin health, noting that particles can penetrate compromised skin barriers and cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular senescence in fibroblasts. The authors recommend that dermatologists incorporate microplastic exposure into clinical assessments of skin conditions.

2025 Dermatologic Clinics
Review Tier 2

Can the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on human health really be assessed using in vitro models? A review of methodological issues

This review examines whether lab-based cell studies can reliably predict how micro and nanoplastics affect human health. The authors found significant inconsistencies in how researchers choose plastic particle types, doses, and exposure methods, making it hard to compare results across studies. The paper calls for standardized testing protocols so that lab findings can more accurately reflect real-world microplastic exposure risks to people.

2023 Environment International 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Trans-epithelial Penetration and Microplastic-induced Tissue Damage in a 3d Model of Human Respiratory Mucosa

Researchers used a 3D human respiratory mucosa model to study microplastic penetration, finding that particles crossed the epithelial barrier in a size-dependent manner and caused tissue damage and inflammatory marker upregulation, providing a more realistic model of inhalation risk than 2D cultures.

2025 Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Skin Aging: Disruption of Barrier Function and Induction of Fibroblast Senescence

Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect skin health using lab-grown skin cells and gene expression analysis. They found that microplastic exposure disrupted the skin's protective barrier by inhibiting normal skin cell development and accelerated aging in the deeper skin layer by triggering cellular senescence. The study suggests that microplastics may contribute to premature skin aging and weakened skin barrier function, adding to the growing understanding of how these particles affect human health.

2024 Experimental Dermatology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Deciphering the links: Fragmented polystyrene as a driver of skin inflammation

Researchers tested fragmented polystyrene particles on human skin using cell cultures, live mice, and donated human skin samples, finding that these microplastics can penetrate skin layers and trigger significant inflammation. The particles were taken up by skin cells and caused the release of inflammatory signals, suggesting that everyday skin contact with microplastics in cosmetics, textiles, and dust could contribute to skin irritation and inflammatory skin conditions.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Cellular effects of microplastics are influenced by their dimension: Mechanistic relationships and integrated criteria for particles definition.

Researchers exposed mussels to five different size classes of polyethylene microplastics and found that the smallest particles (20-50 micrometers) caused the most biological damage, including immune system changes and increased oxidative stress. The study provides experimental evidence that microplastic size matters significantly when assessing health risks. This is important for human health assessments because it suggests that the smallest microplastic particles, which are also the hardest to filter out of food and water, may be the most harmful.

2024 Environmental Pollution 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake and Effects of Micro‐, Submicro‐ and Nanoplastics Investigated on in vitro Models of the Intestinal Barrier and the Liver

Researchers investigated the uptake and toxic effects of micro-, submicro-, and nanoplastics using in vitro models of the intestinal barrier and liver to assess how plastic particles of different sizes interact with gastrointestinal and hepatic cells. The study examined cellular internalization, barrier integrity, and metabolic responses to characterize size-dependent toxicity mechanisms.

2024 Lebensmittelchemie
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Cosmetics: Emerging Risks for Skin Health and the Environment

This review examines microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products and their potential effects on skin health. Evidence suggests that microplastics can penetrate the skin barrier and trigger oxidative stress, inflammation, and premature aging. Despite growing regulatory efforts to ban microplastics in cosmetics, global inconsistencies in these rules mean many products still contain them.

2025 Cosmetics 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Organoid-based platforms for investigating microplastic-induced human organ toxicity

This review examines how lab-grown miniature organ models, called organoids, are being used to study the health effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure on human tissues. Evidence from brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and intestinal organoid models shows that plastic particles can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and impaired tissue development. The technology offers a more realistic way to study plastic toxicity compared to traditional cell culture or animal experiments.

2025 Organoid 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancing Microplastic and Nanoplastic Toxicity Assessment: Insights from Human Organoid Models

This review examines how human stem cell-derived organoids are being used to study the toxic effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on human tissues. Researchers found that organoid models of the gut, lung, brain, and other organs provide more human-relevant data than traditional animal testing for assessing plastic particle toxicity. The study suggests that organoid technology could significantly advance understanding of how microplastics affect human health at the tissue and organ level.

2026 Bioengineering
Article Tier 2

Short- and long-term polystyrene nano- and microplastic exposure promotes oxidative stress and divergently affects skin cell architecture and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling

Researchers exposed freshly isolated mouse skin cells to nano and microplastic particles of various sizes and found that the cells readily absorbed the plastics. While immediate toxicity was limited, the particles triggered oxidative stress, disrupted important cell signaling pathways including Wnt/beta-catenin (which controls cell growth), and caused skin cells to transform in ways associated with scarring. These findings suggest that chronic skin exposure to micro and nanoplastics could contribute to skin damage and abnormal wound healing over time.

2023 Particle and Fibre Toxicology 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative toxicity of microplastics obtained from human consumer products on human cell-based models

Researchers tested microplastics ground from everyday consumer plastic products, like forks and cups, on eight different human cell types and found that certain cells were notably vulnerable. Endothelial cells and microglial cells showed decreased viability and DNA damage at concentrations as low as 10 micrograms per milliliter. The study suggests that microplastics from real consumer products may pose different risks than the pristine laboratory polymers typically used in toxicity research.

2024 Food and Chemical Toxicology 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidence on Invasion of Blood, Adipose Tissues, Nervous System and Reproductive System of Mice After a Single Oral Exposure: Nanoplastics versus Microplastics.

Researchers found that after a single oral exposure in mice, nanoplastics were rapidly absorbed into the blood, accumulated in fat tissues, and crossed both the blood-brain and blood-testis barriers. The study demonstrated that the distribution and behavior of plastic particles in mammals is strongly dependent on particle size, with nanoplastics showing substantially greater tissue penetration than microplastics.

2022 PubMed 62 citations
Article Tier 2

Prospects on the nano-plastic particles internalization and induction of cellular response in human keratinocytes

Researchers isolated nanoplastic particles from commercial face scrubs and found they were internalized by human skin cells (keratinocytes) through a macropinocytosis pathway, triggering cellular stress responses. The findings raise concerns about dermal exposure to nanoplastics from cosmetic products.

2020 Research Square (Research Square)