Dunaliella Salina Extract

Dunaliella salina is a species of salt-loving, single-cell algae that can be found in various salt fields and extremely salty lakes.

The characteristic red color of this alga (which is sometimes enough to turn an entire lake or salt field a pinkish-red) is caused by large amounts of beta-carotene - which the alga produces to protect itself from oxidation. Similarly, to protect themselves from the extremely salty environment, the Dunaliella cells contain large volumes of glycerol.

This makes Dunaliella salina extract a very perspective skincare ingredient since beta-carotene is a potent antioxidant (also called pro-vitamin A) while glycerol is nature’s most common humectant (water-retaining substance).