34 MARINE INGREDIENTS


Biosaccharide gum-1 depends on fermentation


processes fed by sugar crops, linking its sustainability profile to agricultural land use, irrigation and crop seasonality. Fucoidans originate from the wild harvesting


of brown algae, a practice influenced by ecosystem variability, climate conditions and harvesting intensity, which are factors that present inconsistency and limit scalability.12


Implications for cosmetic formulation & market differentiation The saturation of the hyaluronic acid category has created an increasingly challenging landscape for brands seeking meaningful innovation. Consumers now encounter HA in nearly every product format, making differentiation difficult without novel mechanisms, enhanced performance or substantiated multifunctionality. In this context, microalgal EPS offer a distinctly


elevated positioning. Their sulfated, three- dimensional architecture enables biological activities beyond the scope of HA, including enzyme inhibition, antioxidant protection, anti-inflammatory modulation, microcirculation support and advanced barrier reinforcement. This expanded functional scope allows


formulators to move beyond hydration claims and build comprehensive narratives around skin resilience, environmental defence and long-term structural benefits. From a formulation standpoint, EPS also


offer notable versatility. Their non-occlusive, bioadhesive film forms a stable matrix compatible with a wide range of emulsions, gels and hybrid textures, enhancing sensory profiles without compromising stability.6,10,11 Their reproducible production in closed


photobioreactors ensures batch-to-batch consistency, an advantage over natural polymers with variable composition, such as fucoidans. This reliability simplifies development and supports premium positioning associated with biotechnology-derived ingredients. For brands, incorporating microalgal EPS


PERSONAL CARE MAGAZINE February 2026


provides a pathway to stand out in a market dominated by familiar polymers with limited multifunctionality. By combining high-performing bioactivity with a strong sustainability profile, EPS enable the creation of next-generation skin care formulations aligned with evolving consumer expectations for efficacy, transparency and environmental responsibility.


Conclusion As demand for high-performance, multifunctional and sustainably sourced cosmetic ingredients continues to rise, microalgal EPS stand out as a next-generation alternative to traditional polymers. Their distinctive sulfated architecture and complex biochemical profile deliver broader and more consistent biological benefits than hyaluronic acid, biosaccharide gum-1 or fucoidans, particularly in areas such as barrier reinforcement, environmental protection, enzyme inhibition and microcirculation support. This expanded functionality enables brands to


build differentiated claims beyond the increasingly saturated HA market. By leveraging the controlled, carbon-negative


biotechnological processes developed within the SCH AlgaeTech platform, formulators gain access to a reproducible, low-impact polysaccharide source with strong scientific foundations. Ultimately, microalgal EPS offer a compelling opportunity for brands seeking to combine measurable efficacy with sustainability, positioning them as a strategic ingredient class capable of driving the next wave of innovation in advanced skin care.


References 1. Necas J, Bartosikova L, Brauner P, Kolar J. Hyaluronic acid (hyaluronan): A review. Veterinarni Medicina. 2008; 53(8), 397–411


2. Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2012; 13(6), 6787–6817


3. Liu L, Liu Y, Li J, Du G, Chen J. Microbial


production of hyaluronic acid: Current state, challenges, and perspectives. Microbial Cell Factories. 2011;10, 99


4. Geresh S, Arad SM, Levy-Ontman O. (2002). Sulfated polysaccharide from red microalga: Physicochemical characterization and biotechnological applications. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2002; 50(2), 183–189


5. Huheihel M, Ishanu V, Tal J, Arad S. Activity of Porphyridium sp. polysaccharide against herpes simplex viruses in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods. 2002; 50(2–3), 189–200


6. Sun Y, Hou S, Song S, Zhang B, Ai C, Hu Y, Yang Y. (2009). Antioxidative, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory activities of polysaccharides from Porphyridium cruentum. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2009; 45(4), 429–435


7. Abdala-Díaz RT, Caballero MSM, Abdala DL, Jiménez C. Effect of a sulfated polysaccharide from the red microalga Porphyridium cruentum on TNF-a and IL-6 secretion in macrophages. Ciencias Marinas. 2010; 36(4), 345–353


8. Arad SM, Levy-Ontman O. Red microalgal cell wall polysaccharides: Biotechnological aspects. Biotechnology Journal. 2010; 5(1), 69–82


9. Pulz O, Gross W. Valuable products from biotechnology of microalgae. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2004; 65(6), 635–648


10. Raposo MFJ, de Morais AMMB, de Morais RMSC. (2013). Bioactivity and applications of sulphated polysaccharides from marine microalgae. Marine Drugs. 2013; 11(1), 233–252


PCM


11. Tannin-Spitz T, Bergman M, Arad SM. Antioxidant activity of the polysaccharide from red microalga Porphyridium sp. Journal of Applied Phycology. 2005; 17, 215–222


12. Stengel DB, Connan S. Natural Products from Marine Algae. In: Connan S (Ed.), Marine Algae as a Source of Biomass for Biotechnological Applications (pp. 1–37). Springer. 2015


13. KR101856480B1. Cosmetic composition with microalgae extract for anti-UV and skin protection. 2018


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