Seaweeds Compounds: An Ecosustainable Source of Cosmetic Ingredients?

Abstract

Seaweed-based cosmetics are being gradually used by consumers as a substitute of synthetic equivalent products. These seaweed-based products normally contain purified compounds or extracts with several compounds. Several seaweeds’ molecules already demonstrated a high potential as a cosmetic active ingredient (such as, mycosporine-like amino acids, fucoidan, pigments, phenolic compounds) or as a key element for the products consistency (agar, alginate, carrageenan). Moreover, seaweeds’ compounds present important qualities for cosmetic application, such as low cytotoxicity and low allergens content. However, seaweeds’ biochemical profile can be variable, and the extraction methods can cause the loss of some of the biomolecules. This review gives a general look at the seaweed cosmetics benefits and its current application in the cosmetic industry. Moreover, it focuses on the ecological and sustainable scope of seaweed exploitation to guarantee a safe source of ingredients for the cosmetic industry and consumers.

Screening for Health-Promoting Fatty Acids in Ascidians and Seaweeds Grown under the Influence of Fish Farming Activities

“…presented some similarities in their FA profiles, with 16:0 and 18:1( n -7+ n -9) displaying the highest relative abundances in the total pool of FAs recorded in both locations. This finding is in line with previous studies [ 51 , 52 , 53 ]. Our results on the profiling of unsaturated FAs (MUFA+PUFA) are fully aligned with those reported by Herbreteau et al [ 54 ], who reported the FA composition of five species of seaweeds and verified that unsaturated FAs accounted for more than 50% of the total pool of FAs, with this proportion reaching up to 75% for Fucus sp.…”

Lipids from Microalgae for Cosmetic Applications

“…Many concerns are emerging for all chemicals: In some cases, safety data are lacking for synthetic ingredients and they might cause hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic reactions, lethal poisonings or long time effects to users. Systematic monitoring of these substances can be made by testing their genetic toxicity, phototoxicity, photogenotoxicity, toxicokinetics, and carcinogenicity and new studies might reveal different toxicity data [38][39][40][41]. Furthermore, the daily use of many cosmetic products leads to continuous exposure to different chemicals.…”

Sustainable Sources from Aquatic Organisms for Cosmeceuticals Ingredients

“…Europe is still an emerging industry with only a small number of commercial seaweed farms [92]. Seaweed harvesting or culturing intended for cosmeceutical uses only represent a minor percentage of total production [93]; however, clearly, it is a non-stop growing industry, which indeed faces new challenges such as the need for adopting sustainable exploitation procedures managed under maximum sustainable yield plans within a circular economy approach, contributing to a resilient and sustainable marine and maritime sector [94]. Different species of macroalgae such as Gracilaria spp.…”