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Review
. 2025 Apr;47(2):213-222.
doi: 10.1111/ics.13019. Epub 2024 Sep 18.

Microalgae-based sunscreens as green and sustainable cosmetic products

Asal Najafi  1 , Mobina Heidary  1 , Renata Miliani Martinez  2 , André Rolim Baby  2 , Mohammad Hossein Morowvat  3   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Microalgae-based sunscreens as green and sustainable cosmetic products

Asal Najafi et al. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025 Apr.

Abstract
in English, French

Recently, microalgal biotechnology has attained great acceptance among various researchers and industries for the green and sustainable production of different bioactive compounds. They provide multiple metabolites and molecules, making them an ideal candidate for cosmetic formulators and cosmeceutical companies. Nevertheless, numerous microalgae strains have never been studied for their pharmaceutical, nutritional and cosmeceutical purposes. Even less, only some have been cultivated on a large scale for bioactive compound production. Here, we have studied the cosmetic and cosmeceutical potentials of different microalgal strains for sunscreen as adjuvants and boosters in a green, carbon-neutral and sustainable platform. Other bioactive compounds were exploited, and the available products in the market and the published patents were also reviewed. From our review, it will be possible to combine the fundamental and practical aspects of microalgal biotechnology toward a greener and more sustainable future for the cosmetic/cosmeceutical areas of the photoprotection scenario.

Récemment, la biotechnologie des microalgues a été très bien accueillie par divers chercheurs et industries pour la production écologique et durable de différents composés bioactifs. Elles fournissent de multiples métabolites et molécules, ce qui en fait un candidat idéal pour les formulateurs de produits cosmétiques et les entreprises de cosmétique. Néanmoins, de nombreuses souches de microalgues n’ont jamais été étudiées à des fins pharmaceutiques, nutritionnelles et cosmétiques. De plus, seules quelques‐unes ont été cultivées à grande échelle pour la production de composés bioactifs. Ici, nous avons étudié les potentiels cosmétiques et cosméceutiques de différentes souches de microalgues pour les écrans solaires en tant qu’adjuvants et boosters dans une plateforme verte, neutre en carbone et durable. D’autres composés bioactifs ont été exploités, et les produits disponibles sur le marché ainsi que les brevets publiés ont également été examinés. À partir de notre étude, il sera possible de combiner les aspects fondamentaux et pratiques de la biotechnologie microalgale en vue d’un avenir plus vert et plus durable pour les domaines cosmétiques/cosméceutiques en photoprotection.

Keywords: cosmeceuticals; cosmetics; microalgae; nutricosmetics; sunscreens; sustainable.

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References

REFERENCES

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