The present study compares three vesicular systems, cationic LeciPlex, 
invasomes, and conventional liposomes for their ability to deliver drugs deep 
into the skin. Skin penetration ability of the three vesicular systems was 
studied for two drugs namely idebenone (antioxidant/anticancer) and azelaic acid 
(antiacne). All systems showed sizes in nanometer range with small 
polydispersity indices. Vesicular systems were characterized by CryoTEM studies 
to understand the differences in morphology of the vesicular systems. Ex vivo 
human skin penetration studies suggested a pattern in penetration of drugs in 
different layers of the skin: LeciPlex showed higher penetration for idebenone 
whereas invasomes showed higher penetration of azelaic acid. Ex vivo study using 
a fluorescent dye (DiI) was performed to understand the differences in the 
penetration behavior of the three vesicular systems on excised human skin. In 
vitro cytotoxicity studies on B16F10 melanoma cell lines revealed, when loaded 
with idebenone, LeciPlex formulations had the superior activity followed by 
invasomes and liposomes. In vitro antimicrobial study of azelaic acid loaded 
systems on Propionibacterium acne revealed high antimicrobial activity for DDAB 
leciplex followed by almost equal activity for invasomes and CTAB LeciPlex 
followed by liposomes. Whereas antiacne efficacy study in rats for azelaic acid 
loaded systems, invasomes exhibited the best antiacne efficacy followed by 
liposomes and LeciPlex.