Potential application of Saccharina japonica and its extracts in cosmetology

Abstract

Saccharina japonica (S. japonica), a type of brown algae widely consumed in east Asia due to its enormous health benefits, has now been greeted with great expectation in the field of cosmetics. Although many cosmetological functions of S. japonica extracts have been reported, there is still a lack of comprehensive review on the potential application of S. japonica and its extract in cosmetology. This article aims to sum up the cosmetological functions of S. japonica extracts, including anti-inflammation, skin whitening, anti-oxidation, and anti-bacterial activities. Moreover, the production of bioactive chemicals from S. japonica is explored, hoping to provide new insights into cosmetic manufacturing. Study exploration was conducted using online databases (PubMed) using the keywords Saccharina japonica, Laminaria japonica, kelp, cosmetics, anti-inflammation, skin whitening, anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial, etc., focusing on established pre-clinical trials proving relative bioactivities.