[ad_1]
Among the countless marine organisms, seaweed is considered one of the richest sources of biologically active ingredients with powerful biological activities. Seaweed or marine macroalgae are macroscopic multicellular eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms and are classified by the presence of photosynthetic pigments such as red algae, green algae and brown algae.
Demand for seaweed-based cosmetic products has increased as they provide an alternative to synthetic products. Seaweed has shown many skin benefits, such as moisture retention, cell renewal activation, regulation of cell metabolism, sebaceous secretion and tissue drainage, promoting blood circulation and increasing skin resistance. (Also read: Role of diet in skin health: What to eat for a healthy complexion? ,
Marine macroalgae produce both primary metabolites, including proteins, amino acids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, etc., and secondary metabolites, such as phenolic compounds, pigments, sterols, vitamins, and other bioactive components. Due to so many bioactive components, they are found in many industrial applications such as food, pharmaceuticals, medicinals, cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Top 4 Skin Benefits of Seaweed
Dr. Neha Sharma, dermatologist and founder of Estique Clinic, Gurugram, shares 4 amazing benefits of seaweed for skin health with HT Lifestyle.
1) Seaweeds are famous for containing many different types of polysaccharides, such as chitin, fucoidans, agar, carrageenan, alginates, ulvans, terpenoids, and tocopherols. Polysaccharides are the most important and beneficial compounds present in macroalgae and are characterized by their biological skin beneficial activity. They exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticoagulant and antilipidemic properties. They also cause tyrosinase inhibition hence helping in pigmentation disorders. These polysaccharides also inhibit matrix metalloproteinases induced by UVB radiation, so they play a very important role in photoaging. They also neutralize free radicals generated by UV rays.
2) Seaweed is also rich in a variety of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. In addition, macroalgae contain a variety of aliphatic amino acids, hydroxyl-group-containing amino acids, aromatic amino acids, mycosporine amino acids, etc. The skin-beneficial properties of these amino acids include photoprotective effects, antioxidant effects, and anti-inflammatory effects. They also provide immense hydration to the skin and act as a natural sunscreen.
3) The next compound that seaweeds are rich in are phenolic compounds such as catechins, flavonoids and anthocyanins. These types of phenolic compounds revealed their effects on MMP (matrix metalloproteinase complex) inhibition as well as reducing collagen degradation. Catechins and some other phytocompounds, such as flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids showed free radical scavenging. Furthermore, brown macroalgae-derived compounds, such as phlorotannins, exhibit skin whitening/antirosinase effects, while zeaxanthin extracts show skin whitening activity. These compounds also exhibit anti-hyaluronidase activity and hence play a major role in anti-aging.
4) Seaweed contains a wide range of photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll, carotenoids (carotenes, xanthophylls, fucoxanthin, and peridinin), and phycobilins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin). Red algae contain chlorophyll, phycobilin, carotenoids, β carotene, lutein, phycocyanin, and phycoerythrin while brown algae contain chlorophyll a, c, carotenoids, fucoxanthin, and other pigments. Due to the richness of diverse pigment profiles, these seaweeds are used in various applications, such as photoprotection, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-cancer effects, and inhibition of cell proliferation.
Due to the many bioactive molecules, dermatologists have turned their attention to marine organisms as an additional source of innovative and useful natural ingredients. As more seaweeds are used for their anti-photoaging and other potential skin benefit effects, the demand for the use of seaweeds in the cosmetic and skin care industries will increase globally.
[ad_2]
