ABSTRACT
Marine organisms are rich sources of structurally novel and biologically active metabolites. These metabolites possess various industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals and functional foods. This chapter discusses the potential uses of macro- and microalgae in functional cosmetics. Macro- and microalgae produce a variety of bioactive components and they are diverse in their chemical structure. Hence, macro and microalgae have been identified as potential and easily accessible producers of a wide spectrum of natural substances that are vital for cosmeceutical products. Thus, the growing interest in the extraction of active compounds from these sources is obvious. The potent biological properties of certain active components isolated from macro- and microalgae may represent an interesting advance in the search for novel functional ingredients. Moreover, it is interesting to note that functional metabolites from macro- and microalgae offer a promising approach for use in cosmeceutical preparations such as whitening or de-pigmenting creams, antiwrinkle or antiaging lotions, deodorants and moisturizing creams.
