Lignins as natural active ingredients for Cosmetics: A Review

Abstract

Renewable, natural and biocompatible characteristic of lignin portray a huge milestone in cosmeceutical applications. The wide availability of lignin which exist in abundance in nature and from low-cost biowaste has put this polymer as one of the highly promising elements to be explored for replacing the common chemical-based ingredients in cosmetics. This review briefly summarises the detection methods of lignin and several common extraction and isolation methods of lignin. Several potential applications of lignin in cosmetic products which include ultraviolet protection, anti-ageing, antimicrobial properties, and others are also discussed. The advancement in technology and the increased awareness in health and wellness has speed up the research among the experts in finding the most appropriate natural substances to be able to replace the harmful and toxic ingredients in cosmeceutical products. The positive findings obtained from various studies shown in this review has lighten the future of this complex heterogeneous macromolecule for a more sustainable lifestyle of human being.