The Alicante-based startup Mediterranean Algae has presented two new cosmetic active ingredients obtained from sargassum, a macroalga whose proliferation in the Atlantic has become an environmental problem for the coasts of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. The company took advantage of its participation in the in-cosmetics Global fair to unveil Sargaia Solaris and Sargaia Luma, two ingredients developed through upcycling processes that transform this biomass into cosmetic raw material.
Both launches join the company's catalog of marine active ingredients, which already included Ulvanean Posidonia, made from recovered Posidonia oceanica and Ulva. The firm maintains a line of work focused on the circular economy and blue biotechnology, with which it seeks to convert a residue with a strong environmental impact into a resource for cosmetic formulation, as part of its commitment to regenerative beauty.
Sargaia Solaris is designed for sun protection applications: it acts as a booster for conventional filters, helps protect cells against radiation, improves the photostability of formulas, and helps preserve collagen against photoaging. Sargaia Luma, on the other hand, is aimed at treating skin pigmentation, regulating processes linked to melanin production with the aim of correcting sun spots and preventing new alterations, with a profile that the company describes as stable and reproducible.
Mediterranean Algae explains that sargassum contains fucoidans, polyphenols, pigments, and minerals, compounds to which various studies attribute antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties. The company combines this line of cosmetic ingredients with its activity in marine bioremediation and environmental monitoring, two areas in which it has secured European funding and, recently, two awards at the BlueInvest Awards 2026, in the Ocean Bioresources and People's Choice categories.