Algae-Powered Skincare: Innovations in Marine-Derived Cosmeceuticals

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine-Derived Ingredients for Drugs, Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 487

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Azorean Biodiversity Group, cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Changes, CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of the Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Interests: natural products; isolation and identification; chromatographic techniques; synthesis and structural modification; cosmeceutical activities

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine macroalgae are a rich source of bioactive compounds with transformative potential in cosmeceutical applications. This Special Issue will highlight cutting-edge research into the extraction, characterization, and application of macroalgal-derived compounds in skincare. Emphasis will be placed on their multifunctional properties, including antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, UV-protective, and anti-hyperpigmentation effects. Of particular interest are studies that explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these bioactivities, as well as innovative approaches to sustainable extraction and formulation.

Hyperpigmentation, a key cosmetic concern, will be a focal area, with contributions examining macroalgal compounds that regulate melanogenesis and promote an even skin tone. Submissions bridging traditional uses of marine algae in dermatology with modern scientific validation are also encouraged.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for interdisciplinary studies that advance the understanding of marine algae-derived cosmeceuticals, fostering innovation at the intersection of marine science, biotechnology, and skincare. Researchers are invited to contribute original articles, reviews, and case studies addressing these themes.

Dr. Gonçalo Rosa
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • marine macroalgae
  • cosmeceuticals
  • bioactive compounds
  • skincare
  • anti-aging
  • antioxidants
  • hyperpigmentation
  • UV protection
  • sustainable extraction
  • dermatological applications

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

24 pages, 3323 KiB  
Article
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae: A Biorefinery for Health and Energy—Unleashing Phycocyanin’s Power and Biogas Potential
by Pilar Águila-Carricondo, Raquel García-García, Juan Pablo de la Roche, Pedro Luis Galán, Luis Fernando Bautista, Juan J. Espada and Gemma Vicente
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(6), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23060225 - 24 May 2025
Viewed by 346
Abstract
This study presents a biorefinery approach for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, demonstrating its potential as a dual source for phycocyanin and biogas. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated using the ABTS•+ assay, while flow cytometry determined its cytotoxic effects on breast [...] Read more.
This study presents a biorefinery approach for Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, demonstrating its potential as a dual source for phycocyanin and biogas. The antioxidant capacity of the extract was evaluated using the ABTS•+ assay, while flow cytometry determined its cytotoxic effects on breast cancer (HCC1806) and brain glioma (U-118 MG) cell lines, comparing pure C-phycocyanin to the non-purified extract. The non-purified extract scavenged 77% of ABTS•+ radicals at 2.4 mg/mL, compared to 22% for pure C-phycocyanin. In U-118 MG cells, pure C-phycocyanin accounted for 55.5% of the 29.9 ± 6.1% total mortality observed with the non-purified extract at 0.75 mg/mL. HCC1806 cytotoxicity (80.9 ± 5.1% at 1 mg/mL) was attributed to synergistic effects of other extract components. The spent biomass was valorized through anaerobic digestion for biogas production, enhancing process sustainability. At a 2:1 inoculum-to-substrate ratio, the anaerobic digestion of the spent biomass yielded 447 ± 18 mL CH4/gVS, significantly higher than the 351 ± 19 mL CH4/gVS from the initial biomass. LCA estimated the environmental impacts of the A. flos-aquae biorefinery for phycocyanin production, targeting the cosmetic, food, and nutraceutical sectors, and highlighting the benefits of spent biomass valorization to produce biogas within a circular economy framework. This integrated approach demonstrates the potential of A. flos-aquae for the sustainable production of high-value compounds and renewable energy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Algae-Powered Skincare: Innovations in Marine-Derived Cosmeceuticals)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop