The article reviews sustainable ingredients in cosmetics, highlighting the growing demand for eco-friendly products due to environmental concerns and consumer awareness. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of various sustainable sources, including plants, animals, microorganisms, cell cultures, and recycled materials. The review emphasizes the use of renewable and recycled compounds to reduce the ecological impact of cosmetic products. Key topics include: 1. **Plant-Derived Materials**: Plant extracts and isolated molecules are widely used in cosmetics, offering benefits such as antioxidants and sensory improvements. However, extraction methods can have environmental impacts. Examples include phytoextracts, surfactants like alkyl glycosides, and saponins. 2. **Microbial Sources**: Microbial cultivation offers advantages in terms of space and water efficiency. Biocatalysis and biosynthesis techniques are used to produce cosmetic ingredients through fermentation. Examples include nanocellulose, mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), and volatile compounds like beta-ionone and limonene. 3. **Animal Sources**: While controversial due to ethical concerns, animal-derived ingredients like chitin and chitosan offer potential benefits in skin and hair care due to their biodegradable nature and biocompatibility. 4. **In Vitro Culture**: In vitro cell culture can optimize the production of plant extracts, providing economic and ecological benefits. It is particularly useful for rare or endangered plant species. 5. **Algae**: Both microalgae and macroalgae are valuable sources of cosmetic ingredients, offering antioxidants, pigments, and anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include agar, waxes, and extracts from cyanobacteria. 6. **Recycled Materials**: Food waste from industries like winemaking, myrtle liquor, melon shells, coffee, and fruit by-products can be recovered and used to produce high-value cosmetic ingredients, reducing waste and generating economic and environmental benefits. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of exploring sustainable ingredients and compounds for the cosmetic industry, focusing on research and development to address environmental and consumer concerns.The article reviews sustainable ingredients in cosmetics, highlighting the growing demand for eco-friendly products due to environmental concerns and consumer awareness. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of various sustainable sources, including plants, animals, microorganisms, cell cultures, and recycled materials. The review emphasizes the use of renewable and recycled compounds to reduce the ecological impact of cosmetic products. Key topics include: 1. **Plant-Derived Materials**: Plant extracts and isolated molecules are widely used in cosmetics, offering benefits such as antioxidants and sensory improvements. However, extraction methods can have environmental impacts. Examples include phytoextracts, surfactants like alkyl glycosides, and saponins. 2. **Microbial Sources**: Microbial cultivation offers advantages in terms of space and water efficiency. Biocatalysis and biosynthesis techniques are used to produce cosmetic ingredients through fermentation. Examples include nanocellulose, mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), and volatile compounds like beta-ionone and limonene. 3. **Animal Sources**: While controversial due to ethical concerns, animal-derived ingredients like chitin and chitosan offer potential benefits in skin and hair care due to their biodegradable nature and biocompatibility. 4. **In Vitro Culture**: In vitro cell culture can optimize the production of plant extracts, providing economic and ecological benefits. It is particularly useful for rare or endangered plant species. 5. **Algae**: Both microalgae and macroalgae are valuable sources of cosmetic ingredients, offering antioxidants, pigments, and anti-inflammatory properties. Examples include agar, waxes, and extracts from cyanobacteria. 6. **Recycled Materials**: Food waste from industries like winemaking, myrtle liquor, melon shells, coffee, and fruit by-products can be recovered and used to produce high-value cosmetic ingredients, reducing waste and generating economic and environmental benefits. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of exploring sustainable ingredients and compounds for the cosmetic industry, focusing on research and development to address environmental and consumer concerns.