ALGAE EXTRACT

Name of the plant

Algae

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Type of preparation

Extract (solvent extract)

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

FRAGRANCE

Enhances the smell of a product and / or perfumes the skin

HUMECTANT

Holds and retains moisture in cosmetic products

ORAL CARE

Cleans, deodorises and / or protects the oral cavity or teeth

SKIN CONDITIONING - EMOLLIENT

Softens and smoothens the skin

SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS

Maintains the skin in good condition

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Origin

plant (Information may exclusively reflect the status at initial entry of this ingredient into the relevant INCI dictionary; technological progress may have added new manufacturing options based on substances of different origin)

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Algae extracts (INCI: ALGAE EXTRACT or a specific botanic name) are considered to be multi-talents with many interesting properties for cosmetics. Depending on their genus and origin, they contain lipids, proteins, vitamins, different ingredients with antibacterial effect and a high proportion of minerals. They have a revitalising and re-mineralising effect but can also stimulate the blood circulation. Another positive side effect: algae extracts boost the cell renewal. Algae extracts are extremely hygroscopic and correspond partly even to the different moisturisation components of the skin. In addition, they render the skin smooth and supple and are, therefore, often used as humectant substances in face toners and in peelings. In cosmetics mainly sea algae are used, whereas fresh water algae play a major role in nutrition. Fragrances or mixtures of fragrances are often referred to in the cosmetics area as "perfuming agents" or "perfume oils" or "parfum oils". On the cosmetic products they are declared with the INCI name "PARFUM". These are undiluted individual substances or their mixtures which originate from natural raw materials or can be produced (semi-) synthetically. They are starting materials for the production of perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and other perfumed cosmetic products. The average content of fragrances amounts in perfume to 15-30 %, in eau de parfum to 10-14 %, in eau de toilette to 6-9 %, in eau de cologne to 3-5 % as well as in skin creams, shampoos, hair and deodorant sprays to approximately 0.2-1 % and approximately 1-3% in deodorant sticks. The perfume oils include essential oils, resinoids and absolutes. The sources are, amongst others, flowers, leaves and stems, fruits and fruit peels or roots of plants; woods, grasses or herbs, needles, resins and balsams. Moreover, compounds isolated from natural products such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols etc. are used (geraniol, citronellal, citral, eugenol, menthol). Semi-synthetic (citronellol, geranyl acetate, jonone) and synthetic scents (eg phenylethyl alcohol and linalool) are used too. Scents of animal origin such as musk and ambra are only rarely used.

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.