Benefits of Algae in Cosmetics: Unveiling the Secrets of How Algae Skincare Products Revitalize the Skin
At the 2022 in-cosmetics Asia event, the beauty industry achieved impressive innovation and sustainable development results. As a green, eco-friendly, and renewable resource, algae has gradually become a new favorite in cosmetic ingredients. This article compiles literature on the unique benefits of algae to help you understand how to incorporate algae-based materials into your product designs according to skin conditions!
Unique Advantages of Algae in Skin Care
As a natural ingredient, algae is rich in nutrition, including vitamins and minerals, significantly benefiting skin health. It is worth mentioning that algae have multiple effects, such as providing deep hydration, enhancing skin elasticity, soothing and calming the skin, and protecting it from environmental damage. They are particularly suitable for dryness, flaking, and other skin concerns. Many well-known brands have incorporated algae-based ingredients into their skincare products to meet the demand for natural and eco-friendly products.
- La Mer: Since the 1960s, the brand has made algae a core ingredient, and its exclusive marine extracts effectively help to firm and combat aging skin.
- Estée Lauder: The brand’s Nutritious Super-Pomegranate Radiant Energy collection features products with various algae-based ingredients, effectively controlling sebum secretion and tightening pores.
- Biotherm: The brand’s product line includes a range of algae-rich skincare products, such as blue-green algae, green algae, and red algae, each bringing unique skincare effects to the skin.
Designing the Most Suitable Algae Formulations for Specific Skin Concerns
To fully unleash the potential of algae, it is crucial to design the most suitable algae formulations for different skin concerns. Here, we will analyze the effects of various algae ingredients and, through scientific formulation design, make algae the secret weapon for beautiful skin.
Moisture: Long-lasting Hydration
Algae have demonstrated excellent moisturizing effects in multiple studies, mainly due to their abundant bioactive components, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, and amino acids. Polysaccharides achieve moisturizing results by binding with water molecules, forming a hydrating film, and enhancing the skin barrier function. Amino acids can improve skin elasticity and moisturizing properties (Jesumani et al., 2019; Jesumani et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2022), thus achieving a hydrated and supple skin effect.
Brightness: Enhancing Skin Radiance
In skin whitening, the flavonoids and polyphenols in algae can promote skin brightening. A study review by Azam et al. (2017) points out that the phytochemicals in brown algae have inhibitory effects on skin pigmentation. Furthermore, research by Jesumani (2019) and CHA et al. (2011) indicates that the active ingredients in algae have potential tyrosinase inhibitory effects, thus achieving the purpose of skin brightening. Therefore, adding algae extracts with flavonoids and polyphenols can help brighten the skin when designing whitening skincare products. Pairing with algae that can counter external factors further protects the skin from UV damage and enhances the whitening effect.
Anti-aging: Creating Smooth and Elastic Skin
Algae are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and fatty acids, which help delay skin aging (Thomas & Kim, 2013). For example, brown algae extract has photoprotective properties that can reduce UV damage, slowing skin aging (Pangestuti et al., 2018; Hermund et al., 2022). In addition, algal polyphenols can protect the skin from irritants, reducing wrinkles and aging (Jayawardhana et al., 2023). Therefore, when developing anti-aging skincare products, consider adding algal extracts rich in these ingredients to utilize their anti-aging efficacy fully.
Anti-acne: Restoring Flawless and Radiant Skin
Algae have also been proven to have antibacterial properties (Kamei et al., 2009; Wang et al., 2017; Jesumani et al., 2019), which help inhibit Propionibacterium acnes, thereby reducing the formation of pimples. Therefore, when developing skincare products targeting acne-prone skin, adding algal extracts with these antibacterial properties can help improve the condition of acne-prone skin and promote skin health.
In summary, numerous studies have increasingly confirmed the magical effects of algae in skincare. Choosing the suitable algae formula for specific skin conditions is the key to effective skincare. We have precisely developed three algae formulas: Pink & Green Algae Dual Essence for plumping and firming, Amber Algae Dual Essence for even skin tone, and Blue Algae Dual Essence for tender nourishment. We welcome you to contact us and discuss business opportunities with algae-based skincare!
Azam, Mohammed Shariful, et al. “Hypopigmenting effects of brown algae-derived phytochemicals: A review on molecular mechanisms.” Marine Drugs 15.10 (2017): 297.
Berthon, Jean-Yves, et al. “Marine algae as attractive source to skin care.” Free Radical Research 51.6 (2017): 555-567.
CHA, Seon‐Heui, et al. “Screening of marine algae for potential tyrosinase inhibitor: Those inhibitors reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in zebrafish.” The Journal of dermatology 38.4 (2011): 354-363.
CHA, Seon‐Heui, et al. “Screening of marine algae for potential tyrosinase inhibitor: Those inhibitors reduced tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in zebrafish.” The Journal of dermatology 38.4 (2011): 354-363.
Hermund, Ditte B., et al. “Screening for New Cosmeceuticals from Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus with Antioxidant and Photo-Protecting Properties.” Marine Drugs 20.11 (2022): 687.
Jayawardhana, H. H. A. C. K., et al. “Marine Algal Polyphenols as Skin Protective Agents: Current Status and Future Prospectives.” Marine Drugs 21.5 (2023): 285.
Jesumani, Valentina, et al. “Comparative study on skin protection activity of polyphenol-rich extract and polysaccharide-rich extract from Sargassum vachellianum.” PLoS One 15.1 (2020): e0227308.
Jesumani, Valentina, et al. “Potential use of seaweed bioactive compounds in skincare—A review.” Marine drugs 17.12 (2019): 688.
Jesumani, Valentina, et al. “Potential use of seaweed bioactive compounds in skincare—A review.” Marine drugs 17.12 (2019): 688.
Kamei, Yuto, et al. “The novel anti-Propionibacterium acnes compound, Sargafuran, found in the marine brown alga Sargassum macrocarpum.” The Journal of antibiotics 62.5 (2009): 259-263.
Pangestuti, Ratih, Evi Amelia Siahaan, and Se-Kwon Kim. “Photoprotective substances derived from marine algae.” Marine drugs 16.11 (2018): 399.
Pereira, Leonel. “Seaweeds as source of bioactive substances and skin care therapy—cosmeceuticals, algotheraphy, and thalassotherapy.” Cosmetics 5.4 (2018): 68.
Thomas, Noel Vinay, and Se-Kwon Kim. “Beneficial effects of marine algal compounds in cosmeceuticals.” Marine drugs 11.1 (2013): 146-164.
Wang, Hui-Min David, et al. “Potential biomedical applications of marine algae.” Bioresource technology 244 (2017): 1407-1415.
Zhang, Tong, et al. “Comprehensive review in moisture retention mechanism of polysaccharides from algae, plants, bacteria and fungus.” Arabian Journal of Chemistry (2022): 104163.
