<i>Spirulina</i> for Skin Care: A Bright Blue Future

• Main Authors: Irene Ragusa, Giulia Nerina Nardone, Samuele Zanatta, Walter Bertin, Emanuele Amadio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Cosmetics
• Subjects: <i>Spirulina</i>; microalga; cyanobacteria; natural cosmetics; skin care; skin health
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/8/1/7

<i>Spirulina</i> stands out as a sustainable bioactive microalga with health-promoting properties, and an important active ingredient of natural cosmetics products. Currently, <i>Spirulina</i> has been incorporated in topical skin-care formulations, such as a moisturizing, antiwrinkles, antiaging and antiacne agent. Furthermore, this microalga is used by cosmetic formulators to promote healthy sunscreen protection, to treat skin pigmentation disorders and to heal wounds. Most of commercial cosmetics claim a large range of <i>Spirulina</i> properties, including antioxidant, revitalizing, remineralizing, moisturizing, protecting alongside cleansing and shining action, both for hair and for skin. In this review, recent cosmetic applications of <i>Spirulina</i> are revised, by highlighting its ability in improving skin appearance and health. Additionally, the analysis of the <i>Spirulina</i> cosmetic benchmark is discussed. Looking at the current emergence of the beauty industry, many <i>Spirulina</i> extracts and dry powder/flakes, both the starting ingredient and final <i>Spirulina</i>-based cosmetic products, are available on the market. In this industrial field, <i>Spirulina</i>—mainly <i>Spirulina platensis</i> and <i>Spirulina maxima</i>—is used either as a powder, like in the case of cheaper products, or as a phycocyanin-rich blue extract, particularly in the luxury market. It is likely that, in the coming years, diversity, quality and topical applications of <i>Spirulina</i> will rapidly increase.