Chapter 9: Bacteria as a Source of Bioactive Cosmeceuticals

The cosmetics industry is constantly searching for new methodologies and materials as it seeks to innovate and find new ways to reduce its environmental impact. Cosmetics are complex multiphase systems that include different components with distinct functions in the final product. Bacterial polysaccharides are biocompatible, biodegradable, and usually nontoxic natural biopolymers. Bacterial polysaccharides possess several properties (such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, film-forming, gelling, and thickening) that can provide protective effects on the skin, improving the efficacy of formulations while maintaining the skin in a good condition. Beside the bacterial polysaccharides, bacterial cellulose and bacterial pigments have also gained attention for their potential use as cosmetic ingredients. Bacterial cellulose has high biocompatibility, skin adhesion, and water retention, in addition to being a sustainable alternative material. Bacterial pigments, on the other hand, are a unique and sustainable source of bioactive color compounds used in cosmetics, food, textiles, printing, and pharmaceutical products. In this chapter, the principal properties of various bacterial components are discussed and summarized for their role in bioactive cosmeceuticals.