Highly adhesive asynchronous drug-releasing membrane for facial care: Combined anti-acne and anti-inflammatory properties.

The facial skin of teenagers often suffers from problems such as acne and inflammation. In severe cases, it may even lead to skin ulcers. This not only affects their study and daily life, but also has a negative impact on their physical and mental health. However, conventional hydrocolloid dressings exhibit several limitations, such as poor adhesion in high-tension or contoured facial areas, lack of staged therapeutic functionality, and the inclusion of potentially irritating ingredients. To overcome these challenges, electrospun nanofiber membranes with a core-shell architecture have been developed. The outer shell is composed of polyvinyl alcohol grafted with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (PVA-DOPA) and is loaded with star-poly(l-lysine) (star-PLs) to exert antibacterial activity against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). The inner core consists of gelatin (GEL) incorporated with tannic acid (TA), which provides sustained antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to support tissue repair and mitigate skin aging. The catechol groups in DOPA further enhance the membrane's skin adhesion, especially on complex surfaces such as the chin and nose. In vitro studies confirmed the membrane's hydrophilicity, controlled drug release, and strong antimicrobial performance. Cellular assays and a rat wound healing model validated its bioactivity and therapeutic potential. This work presents a promising strategy for facial skin care via multifunctional nanofiber dressings with strong adhesion and asynchronous drug release.