Phycocosmetics and Other Marine Cosmetics, Specific Cosmetics Formulated Using Marine Resources

• Published in: Marine drugs 2020-06, Vol.18 (6), p.322
• Main Authors: Couteau, Céline, Coiffard, Laurence
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: algae; Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Anti-Infective Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Infective Agents - pharmacology; Aquatic Organisms - chemistry; cosmetic products; Cosmetics - chemistry; Cosmetics - isolation & purification; Cosmetics - pharmacology; Humans; Pharmaceutic Aids - chemistry; Pharmaceutic Aids - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical - chemistry; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical - isolation & purification; Preservatives, Pharmaceutical - pharmacology; Review; Seaweed - chemistry; Skin Aging - drug effects; Skin Aging - radiation effects; substance of interest; Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects
• ISSN: 1660-3397; 1660-3397
• DOI: 10.3390/md18060322

Marine resources exist in vast numbers and show enormous diversity. As a result, there are likely many possible applications for marine molecules of interest in the cosmetic industry, whether as excipients or additives, but especially as active substances. It is possible to obtain extracts from active substances; for example, quite a few algae species can be used in moisturizing or anti-ageing products. In the field of topical photoprotection, mycosporine-like amino acids and gadusol are important lines of enquiry that should not be overlooked. In the field of additives, the demonstration that certain seaweed (algae) extracts have antimicrobial properties suggests that they could provide alternatives to currently authorized preservatives. These promising leads must be explored, but it should be kept in mind that it is a long process to bring ingredients to market that are both effective and safe to use.