Macroalgae and Microalgae
TYPE OF INGREDIENT
Bioactive organism and byproducts
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Moisturizers, anti-aging products, skin whitening products, and hair and oral care products
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MACROALGAE AND MICROALGAE?
Macroalgae and microalgae have bioactive properties for the skin, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, anti-melanogenic and antimicrobial features, which are crucial to wound healing. They have also been studied to reduce the cutaneous signs of environmental stress (e.g., dryness, wrinkles, laxity) through immunomodulation and ultraviolet light absorption. Other studies have shown that algae can induce involucrin, transglutaminase-1 and filaggrin genes, where application to human skin was associated with a reduction in transepidermal water loss.
WHAT ARE MACROALGAE AND MICROALGAE?
Algae are rapidly-growing marine plants with simpler structures than terrestrial plants. Macroalgae (i.e., seaweeds) are multicellular plants in coastal areas subclassified by brown, green or red pigment; meanwhile, microalgae are unicellular or simple multicellular species in various aquatic environments. They produce bioactive exopolysaccharides, fatty acids, lipids and pigments with unique effects in the skin, including moisturizing properties, metalloproteinase inhibition and tyrosinase inhibition.
ARE MACROALGAE AND MICROALGAE SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?
Macroalgae and microalgae are likely safe for all skin types and tones based on available data. Some studies have noted that algae have negligible cytotoxic effects on humans. In some animal studies, there are reports of adverse effects, including congenital abnormalities or altered pregnancy outcomes, but these have not been reported in humans. Bioaccumulation of algal toxins or proliferation of coexisting bacteria are associated with adverse effects in animals, such as toxic neurological or immunological effects, but these have not been observed in humans.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
There are minimal data on contraindications for the topical application of macroalgae or microalgae. Although rare, patients with an allergy to macroalgae or microalgae, their components or their byproducts should avoid use of products containing macroalgae or microalgae.
Sources:
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