Study of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of anti-acne face wash, hand sanitizer gel, and soap containing phycocyanin and phycoerythrin

INTRODUCTION: The use of natural ingredients in skincare products has gained increasing attention due to the harmful effects and environmental risks associated with synthetic compounds.
OBJECTIVE: This growing concern has driven research into photosynthetic organisms as sustainable and eco-friendly sources of effective ingredients. Natural extracts — particularly those derived from plants, algae, and cyanobacteria — have drawn significant interest in the cosmetics industry. Cyanobacteria stand out for their low cultivation requirements, rapid growth, and ability to produce a wide range of bioactive metabolites, making them a sustainable and cost-effective resource.
METHODS: This study evaluated the effects of natural pigments — phycocyanin and phycoerythrin — extracted from Spirulina platensis and Nostoc sp. on three cosmetic products: soap, anti-acne face wash, and hand sanitizer gel. After culturing the cyanobacteria, the pigments were extracted, purified, and coated with chitosan as a stabilizer. These coated pigments were then used to formulate the cosmetic products, which were assessed for viscosity, pH, stability, antioxidant activity, and antibacterial properties.
RESULTS: The results showed that phycocyanin and the combined pigment content were higher in the anti-acne face wash and soap, whereas phycoerythrin and the total pigment concentration were greater in the hand sanitizer gel.
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential of cyanobacterial pigments to produce stable, enriched cosmetic products, offering sustainable and effective alternatives to synthetic ingredients.

Keywords: Cyanobacteria; Microwaves; Microbiology.