Potential Cosmetic Active Ingredients Derived from Marine By-Products

The market demand for marine-based cosmetics has shown a tremendous growth rate in the last decade. Marine resources represent a promising source of novel bioactive compounds for new cosmetic ingredient development. However, concern about sustainability also becomes an issue that should be considered in developing cosmetic ingredients. The fisheries industry (e.g., fishing, farming, and processing) generates large amounts of leftovers containing valuable substances, which are potent sources of cosmeceutical ingredients. Several bioactive substances could be extracted from the marine by-product that can be utilized as a potent ingredient to develop cosmetics products. Those bioactive substances (e.g., collagen from fish waste and chitin from crustacean waste) could be utilized as anti-photoaging, anti-wrinkle, skin barrier, and hair care products. From this perspective, this review aims to approach the potential active ingredients derived from marine by-products for cosmetics and discuss the possible activity of those active ingredients in promoting human beauty. In addition, this review also covers the prospect and challenge of using marine by-products toward the emerging concept of sustainable blue cosmetics.

Automated summary

The market demand for marine-based cosmetics has experienced significant growth in the past decade. Marine resources offer a promising source for the development of novel cosmetic ingredients. However, sustainability is a concern that needs to be addressed in this development. The fisheries industry generates valuable leftover substances that can be extracted to create bioactive ingredients for cosmetics, such as collagen and chitin, which can provide anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, skin barrier, and hair care benefits. This review aims to explore the potential of these marine by-products as active ingredients for cosmetics, as well as discuss the prospect and challenges of sustainable blue cosmetics.