Reviewing the value of fucoxanthin as an ingredient in cosmeceutical applications

The search for safe and effective natural ingredients in the cosmetics industry has been ongoing for years. It remains one of the most widely studied topics worldwide. Fucoxanthin, a natural pigment extracted from brown algae, has gained attention for its potent antioxidant properties.

In a study published in Journal of Dermatologic Science and Cosmetic Technology, a duo of researchers from Malaysia reviewed fucoxanthin’s potential applications in cosmeceuticals.

“Fucoxanthin has shown promising skin benefits across in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Laboratory tests revealed that it reduces oxidative stress, stimulates procollagen production, inhibits matrix metalloproteinases, and suppresses melanin synthesis—suggesting its potential to prevent skin aging, reduce pigmentation, and enhance skin structure,” shares co-author Mohd Fadzelly Abu Bakar from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. “It not only improves skin elasticity, but also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.”‘

Animal studies further confirmed fucoxanthin protective effects against UV-induced damage, inflammation, and wrinkle formation. Notably, a clinical trial with Korean women reported significant improvements in skin moisture, elasticity, and wrinkle reduction after eight weeks of using a fucoxanthin-based cream.

“Fucoxanthin shows strong potential as a natural, sustainable ingredient in anti-aging skincare,” adds Bakar. “Nonetheless, challenges with stability, bioavailability, and sourcing limit its wider use. Continued clinical research and improved formulations are needed to overcome these barriers.”

###

Contact the author: Siti Hamidah Mohd Setapar, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra (Jalan Semarak), Kuala Lumpur 54100, Malaysia, siti-h@utm.my

The publisher KeAi was established by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media Ltd to unfold quality research globally. In 2013, our focus shifted to open access publishing. We now proudly publish more than 200 world-class, open access, English language journals, spanning all scientific disciplines. Many of these are titles we publish in partnership with prestigious societies and academic institutions, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).