Marine bioactives: Pioneering sustainable solutions for advanced cosmetics and therapeutics

Marine ecosystems harbor an extraordinary diversity of bioactive compounds with substantial potential in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. This review explores the applications of marine-derived bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, peptides, lipids, and pigments, highlighting their significant therapeutic and cosmetic benefits such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, skin-brightening, hydration, and anti-aging properties. Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, the review discusses innovative extraction methods, including enzyme-assisted and supercritical fluid extraction, to optimize yield and maintain bioactivity. Marine algae, invertebrates, and microorganisms represent key sources, each contributing unique compounds capable of addressing specific dermatological and systemic health needs. Regulatory challenges and sustainability concerns are critically examined to outline future directions for research and commercial development. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced biotechnological approaches, marine cell culture achieves 50x higher yields than traditional extraction; synthetic biology sustainably produces rare compounds; advanced purification delivers 99.5 % pharmaceutical-grade purity; and life cycle assessments show 60 % lower environmental impact vs. terrestrial alternatives.