Purple octopus in the ocean next to seaweed
23 May

How Blue Biotechnology Benefits the Beauty Industry


In recent years, the beauty industry has significantly shifted towards sustainability and embraced natural product ingredients and packaging. Blue biotechnology, which focuses on utilizing marine organisms for various applications, has recently emerged as a promising, sustainable, and effective cosmetic ingredient source. From ingredients like algae to seaweed, marine-derived ingredients will increase in popularity in the beauty industry, and for a good reason. 

Advantages of Blue Biotechnology

Providing Sustainable Ingredients

One of the most significant advantages of blue biotechnology is that it provides a sustainable source of ingredients beneficial for the skin and the environment. With consumers’ increasing concern over the beauty industry's environmental impact, companies are now looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and use sustainably sourced ingredients. 

According to Cosmetic Design Europe, blue biotechnology taps into a sustainable way to utilize the benefits of the ocean's ingredients and helps the beauty industry avoid overfishing and unnecessary ocean farming. Marine organisms can be sustainably harvested without causing harm to the environment or compromising future resources, making them an ideal option for cosmetic ingredients.

Blue biotechnology also opens up new possibilities for developing novel cosmetic ingredients. Cosmetics Design Europe emphasizes the significant advancements in the field by stating, “...various compounds secluded from marine organisms showed cosmetic activities, including photoprotection, moisturization, and anti-aging.”

Marine organisms produce a wide range of unique bioactive compounds, including peptides, enzymes, and polysaccharides, which have been shown to have various beneficial effects on the skin. A good example is seaweed extracts, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing the signs of aging and protecting the skin from environmental damage. 

High Bioavailability

In addition to their unique properties, marine-derived ingredients are also highly bioavailable, meaning the skin easily absorbs them. This makes them highly effective in delivering nutrients to the skin and improving its health and appearance. The high bioavailability of these ingredients also means that they can be used in lower concentrations, reducing the product's overall environmental impact.

Many cosmetic companies have already started incorporating marine-derived ingredients into their products, and the trend is only expected to grow. For example, some companies started to use a proprietary fermentation process to extract the maximum benefit from the seaweed, resulting in highly effective products that improve the skin's texture and appearance. Whereas other companies are beginning to specialize in marine-derived ingredients, using a range of marine organisms, including algae and seaweed, in their products formulated to address various skin concerns, from hydration to anti-aging.

Despite the significant environmental and skin benefits, further advances in blue biotechnology have been held back due to difficult and highly expensive sampling procedures. “For significant advances to be made in blue biotech, government involvement is required - not only to fund expeditions and innovative sampling and cultivation methods but also to address sea-related territorial disputes,” Cosmetics Design Europe says.

Overall, blue biotechnology significantly impacts the beauty industry by providing a sustainable source of effective cosmetic ingredients that benefit both the skin and the environment. With the increasing demand for natural and sustainable beauty products, marine-derived ingredients will likely become even more popular in the coming years. As companies continue to innovate and explore new possibilities in this field, consumers can expect many exciting developments in marine-based beauty products.

At Golden Arrow, we are proud to be leaders in crafting luxurious, uncompromisingly sustainable packaging that helps make the world environmentally friendly. Our packaging solutions are made from sustainable materials and designed to stand out from the crowd while being useful time and time again. Get in contact with us today to learn more!

Sources:
https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Article/2020/04/28/Blue-biotechnology-for-cosmetics-holds-sustainable-raw-material-promise
https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Article/2023/03/21/Blue-biotech-in-beauty-needs-better-storytelling-and-consumer-engagement-say-experts?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=28-Mar-2023&cid=DM1066311&bid=76705536