Published
A supplement label reading 1000 mg of Vitamin C does not mean the body uses 1000 mg of Vitamin C. The difference is bioavailability, and for some actives that difference is large.
What a liposome is
A liposome is a spherical vesicle formed from a phospholipid bilayer. Its structure resembles a cell membrane: water-compatible inside and out, with a fat-compatible layer between.
That lets it carry a water-soluble active inside the vesicle and a fat-soluble one within the bilayer. The active is no longer free but held inside a protective carrier.
It solves two problems at once
The first is stability. Actives prone to oxidation, such as Vitamin C, degrade across shelf life when they sit free in a formulation. The liposomal structure isolates them from oxygen and light.
The second is uptake. Because the phospholipid structure is compatible with the cell membrane, the carrier can deliver its contents to the target more effectively. In cosmetics that means the active reaching the intended layer of the skin.
It is not needed everywhere
Liposomal formulation is costly and is not warranted for every active. Encapsulating a component that is already stable and highly bioavailable produces no measurable benefit.
The technology earns its place with actives whose bioavailability is low or whose stability is a problem: Vitamin C, certain minerals, niacinamide and arbutin are typical cases.
And not everything described as liposomal actually is. Without measured particle size and encapsulation efficiency, the claim stays a claim.