Macroalgae-Derived Ingredients for Cosmetic Industry—An Update

Abstract

Aging is a natural and progressive declining physiological process that is influenced by multifactorial aspects and affects individuals' health in very different ways. The skin is one of the major organs in which aging is more evident, as it progressively loses some of its natural functions. With the new societal paradigms regarding youth and beauty have emerged new concerns about appearance, encouraging millions of consumers to use cosmetic/personal care products as part of their daily routine. Hence, cosmetics have become a global and highly competitive market in a constant state of evolution. This industry is highly committed to finding natural sources of functional/bioactive-rich compounds, preferably from sustainable and cheap raw materials, to deliver innovative products and solutions that meet consumers' expectations. Macroalgae are an excellent example of a natural resource that can fit these requirements. The incorporation of macroalgae-derived ingredients in cosmetics has been growing, as more and more scientific evidence reports their skin health-promoting effects. This review provides an overview on the possible applications of macroalgae as active ingredients for the cosmetic field, highlighting the main compounds responsible for their bioactivity on skin.

Enigmatic Microalgae from Aeroterrestrial and Extreme Habitats in Cosmetics: The Potential of the Untapped Natural Sources

“…Antioxidant properties are known also for the natural carotenoid fucoxanthin, which was well-studied and explored from marine brown macroalgae from the class Phaeophyceae (for details, see [1], in which it is responsible for the brown color of the thalli [27]. Fucoxanthin is an important carotenoid in many other ochrophyte algae and specifically in the widespread diatoms, many of which are aeroterrestrial or inhabit extremophilic environments [26][27][28].…”

“…Phenols (also known as phenolics) are the largest group of plant secondary metabolites and play a role in protection mechanisms against oxidative stress or UV cytotoxic effects [1,78]. Marine algae, with their relatively high phenolics concentrations, were long in the focus of the researchers, and phlorotannins of brown algae could be outlined as the most studied group of phenolic compounds from algae [79].…”

“…Moisturization and hydration are essential for skin care in maintaining its healthy appearance and elasticity [1,163]. In addition to its good outlook, well-hydrated skin is better protected against harmful environmental factors [1,163]. In this respect, the adaptations of aeroterrestrial algae to limit water loss and to withstand desiccation are of ultimate interest.…”

“…Nowadays, with the development of new social paradigms regarding youth and beauty, millions of consumers use cosmetic personal care products (PSP) routinely as part of their daily life [1]. At the same time, there is an increase in consumers' expectations, in which increased demands on one's own appearance have to take into consideration the growing environmental concerns of modern society.…”

“…At the same time, there is an increase in consumers' expectations, in which increased demands on one's own appearance have to take into consideration the growing environmental concerns of modern society. Therefore, ingredients which are not only cheap but match modern consumers' requests for "natural" and "healthier" products provide additional advantages for the cosmetic industry [1]. Novel and innovative cost-effective technologies became the way to satisfy the growing demands of the health-conscious consumer [2].…”