Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin 2228-5881 10 2 2020 02 18 Nanostructured Lipid Carriers: A Groundbreaking Approach for Transdermal Drug Delivery 150 165 10.34172/apb.2020.021 EN Iti Chauhan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4440-9903 Mohd Yasir Madhu Verma Alok Pratap Singh REVIEW 10.34172/apb.2020.021 2019 05 08 2019 10 17 Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are novel pharmaceutical formulations which are composed of physiological and biocompatible lipids, surfactants and co-surfactants. Over time, as a second generation lipid nanocarrier NLC has emerged as an alternative to first generation nanoparticles. This review article highlights the structure, composition, various formulation methodologies, and characterization of NLCs which are prerequisites in formulating a stable drug delivery system. NLCs hold an eminent potential in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics market because of extensive beneficial effects like skin hydration, occlusion, enhanced bioavailability, and skin targeting. This article aims to evoke an interest in the current state of art NLC by discussing their promising assistance in topical drug delivery system. The key attributes of NLC that make them a promising drug delivery system are ease of preparation, biocompatibility, the feasibility of scale up, non-toxicity, improved drug loading, and stability.