UV-screening from microalgae

Abstract Microalgae and cyanobacteria species have particular properties of producing high value-added compounds for pharmacological needs during cultivation, gaining the attention of researchers and industries. Therefore, their large-scale production is increasing, not only for food, but also for cosmetic applications due to the claim that the raw material is derived from natural sources and is produced in an eco-friendly way. Daily use of sunscreens has increased as a result of the environmental changes that have induced increments in both the ultraviolet (UV) radiation rate and skin damage by its exposure. Among UV filters, the chemical ones are extensively incorporated in sunscreens, but allergenic reactions are reported. In particular, pigments, such as carotenoids from microalgae, and mycosporine-like amino acids from cyanobacteria, have been studied and industrially produced as natural substances for sun care cosmetics. This chapter summarizes the existing studies of bioproducts from photosynthetic microorganism biomass and highlights their uses in cosmetics.