Common Name(s): Marine brown algae xanthophyll,fucus carotenoid
CAS Number: 3351-86-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides marine xanthophyll exceptional antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activity from brown algae fucoxanthin.
Why It's Used: Marine anti-obesity carotenoid — fucoxanthin's documented anti-adipogenic activity via ucp1 uncoupling protein induction in white adipose tissue provides a unique anti-obesity mechanism unavailable from terrestrial carotenoids.
How It Works: Allenic bond (c=c=c) unique to marine carotenoids provides different excited state chemistry vs land plant carotenoids. anti-adipogenic via ucp1 mitochondrial uncoupling protein induction in visceral white adipose — increasing fat catabolism. anti-inflammatory via nf-kb inhibition. very high singlet o₂ quenching from allenic conjugation.
Typically Found In: Anti-cellulite products,marine anti-aging,antioxidant formulas
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient – antioxidant
Secondary Functions: Free radical scavenging,anti-aging
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.001%–0.05%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes – from brown algae (undaria, fucus, sargassum)
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Plant-derived extract or synthetic.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Vitamin c,vitamin e,ferulic acid,spf,other antioxidants
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Fucoxanthin's ucp1 induction in white adipose tissue is clinically significant because ucp1 (thermogenin) normally exists only in brown adipose tissue (responsible for non-shivering thermogenesis). fucoxanthin's ability to induce ucp1 expression in white adipose converts metabolically inactive white fat cells to ucp1-expressing fat-burning cells — a mechanism that no other common natural compound demonstrates with consistent clinical evidence.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,maeda et al. fucoxanthin anti-obesity review