25 Cosmetics and Cosmeceutical Applications of Microalgae Pigments
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colorants, and other cosmetics (Patil and Datar 2016). Microalgae pigments meet
these market demands and have been widely used as cosmetic ingredients.
It is well-known that microalgae contain a wide range of photosynthetic pigments.
There are three major classes of pigments that can be found in microalgae, namely
carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin).
They exhibit brilliant colors ranging from green, yellow, and brown to red and are
being utilized as an alternative to the synthetic colorants (Begum et al. 2016). In
addition, these pigments have been reported to possess functional cosmeceutical
effects or drug-like effects on skin.
Chlorophylls is an essential pigment not only used as an additive in pharmaceutical
but also in cosmetic product. Chlorophyll A presents green color and has been used
as a colorant due to its stability. This pigment is abundantly found in Chlorella and
Spirulina species. Chlorella vulgaris has been extensively used to produce chlorophyll which is used for cosmetic colorants as a substitute for artificial color (Begum
et al. 2016). Chlorophylls have also been applied as additive in deodorant, due to their
ability to mask odors, as well as in toothpastes, due to their antioxidative properties
(Mourelle et al. 2017).
Another microalgae pigment that widely applied as an additive for cosmetics is
astaxanthin. The carotenoid pigment astaxanthin plays a role as a strong colorant and a
potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin imparts red color to makeup and beauty care products
(Chakdar and Pabbi 2017). Guerin et al. reported that this main carotenoid pigment
can be efficiently produced from green microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis (Guerin
et al. 2003).
Phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin) are a group of colored
proteins commonly present in cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae)
and red algae. Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin can safely be used as food and
cosmetic colorants as they are nontoxic and noncarcinogenic (Henrikson 1989).
Phycocyanin is a florescent blue pigment and phycoerythrin imparts pink fluorescence. The main resource of phycocyanin is cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis,
and red microalgae Porphyridium cruentum is exploited to produce phycoerythrin
(de Jesus Raposo et al. 2013; Pangestuti and Kim 2011). Phycoerythrin is characterized to have intense pink color, heat stability, and pH tolerant and has already been
formulated as lipsticks and eyeliners (Balboa et al. 2015). Moreover, Arad and Yaron
have prepared pink and purple cosmetics, such as eye shadow, face make-up, lipstick,
from various red microalgae. Phycocyanin isolated from cyanobacteria (Arthrospira)
has already been marketed as cosmetic colorants in Japan and formulated as an eye
shadow (Bermejo et al. 2000).
25.4.6 Thalassotherapy
Thalassotherapy is defined as the therapeutic use of seawater and all related marine
elements (marine environment, seaweed, microalgae, sea mud, and sand) in the form
of water baths, massages, and showers to promote health, wellness, and beauty. This
625
colorants, and other cosmetics (Patil and Datar 2016). Microalgae pigments meet
these market demands and have been widely used as cosmetic ingredients.
It is well-known that microalgae contain a wide range of photosynthetic pigments.
There are three major classes of pigments that can be found in microalgae, namely
carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin).
They exhibit brilliant colors ranging from green, yellow, and brown to red and are
being utilized as an alternative to the synthetic colorants (Begum et al. 2016). In
addition, these pigments have been reported to possess functional cosmeceutical
effects or drug-like effects on skin.
Chlorophylls is an essential pigment not only used as an additive in pharmaceutical
but also in cosmetic product. Chlorophyll A presents green color and has been used
as a colorant due to its stability. This pigment is abundantly found in Chlorella and
Spirulina species. Chlorella vulgaris has been extensively used to produce chlorophyll which is used for cosmetic colorants as a substitute for artificial color (Begum
et al. 2016). Chlorophylls have also been applied as additive in deodorant, due to their
ability to mask odors, as well as in toothpastes, due to their antioxidative properties
(Mourelle et al. 2017).
Another microalgae pigment that widely applied as an additive for cosmetics is
astaxanthin. The carotenoid pigment astaxanthin plays a role as a strong colorant and a
potent antioxidant. Astaxanthin imparts red color to makeup and beauty care products
(Chakdar and Pabbi 2017). Guerin et al. reported that this main carotenoid pigment
can be efficiently produced from green microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis (Guerin
et al. 2003).
Phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin) are a group of colored
proteins commonly present in cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae)
and red algae. Phycocyanin and phycoerythrin can safely be used as food and
cosmetic colorants as they are nontoxic and noncarcinogenic (Henrikson 1989).
Phycocyanin is a florescent blue pigment and phycoerythrin imparts pink fluorescence. The main resource of phycocyanin is cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis,
and red microalgae Porphyridium cruentum is exploited to produce phycoerythrin
(de Jesus Raposo et al. 2013; Pangestuti and Kim 2011). Phycoerythrin is characterized to have intense pink color, heat stability, and pH tolerant and has already been
formulated as lipsticks and eyeliners (Balboa et al. 2015). Moreover, Arad and Yaron
have prepared pink and purple cosmetics, such as eye shadow, face make-up, lipstick,
from various red microalgae. Phycocyanin isolated from cyanobacteria (Arthrospira)
has already been marketed as cosmetic colorants in Japan and formulated as an eye
shadow (Bermejo et al. 2000).
25.4.6 Thalassotherapy
Thalassotherapy is defined as the therapeutic use of seawater and all related marine
elements (marine environment, seaweed, microalgae, sea mud, and sand) in the form
of water baths, massages, and showers to promote health, wellness, and beauty. This