Cosmetic attributes of algae - A review

Cosmetic Functional Ingredients from Botanical Sources for Anti-Pollution Skincare Products

“…Algae provide a great variety of metabolites (polysaccharides, lipids, phenolic compounds and pigments) [37] and can be easily cultured on seashores in great volumes; moreover, they grow quickly, and it is possible to control the production of their metabolites by manipulating the culture conditions [36]. For all these reasons, algae represent an attractive renewable source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries [38].…”

“…Some algae species produce bioactive molecules with photo-protective activity due to their ability to absorb UV-A and UV-B radiation [37,38]; other algal species are potential sources of skin whitening agents, since they produce metabolites (e.g., fucoxantin, phloroglucinol) able to inhibit natural tyrosinase [39]. Moreover, some compounds derived from algae exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity and can be useful in the management of acne-affected skin [37].…”

“…Other bioactivities from algae are closely linked to the use of seaweed-derived products as anti-pollution cosmetic ingredients. In particular, researchers have extensively investigated the antioxidant activity of algae extracts; indeed algae, due to the extreme conditions in which they often live, are naturally exposed to oxidative stress, and develop efficient strategies to protect against the effects of ROS and other oxidizing agents [38]. The antioxidant potential of a variety of algal species extracts was demonstrated with different methods, such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH • ) free-radical-scavenging, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ABTS (2,2 -Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging, in vitro copper-induced oxidation of human LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) assay, reducing activity, metal chelating assay, scavenging ability on hydroxyl and superoxide radicals [40,41].…”

Macroalgae-Derived Ingredients for Cosmetic Industry—An Update

“…The incorporation of macroalgae-derived bioactive compounds in cosmetics has been growing as more and more scientific evidence is documented in regards to their health-promoting and anti-pollution effects [55,62,82]. The foremost interesting classes of bioactive compounds include those intended for antiaging care, including protection against free radicals, prevention of skin flaccidity and wrinkles, anti-photoaging, photoprotection against UV radiation, moisturizing, and skin whitening [16,27,65].…”

“…Alternatively, natural antioxidants from plants and macroalgae have been demonstrating a solid substitution potential [35,53]. Their antioxidant-rich extracts actively protect formulations against oil oxidative processes, particularly those containing a higher amount of oily phase, while simultaneously presenting health-promoting effects [27].…”