DESCRIPTION
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition
containing a gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn extract and a
brown seaweed extract as active ingredients, and more
particularly to a cosmetic composition containing, as an active
ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of
a gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn extract and a brown seaweed
extract, which have an excellent antioxidant effect and
excellent effects of improving skin elasticity and reducing
skin wrinkles.
Backgro\ind Art
The skin is composed of three layers: the outer
epidermis, the middle dermis and the inner subcutaneous
tissue. The skin functions to protect the body from external
physical and chemical influences. Particularly, the skin
regulates the evaporation of water from the body having a
water content of about 65-70%. The epidermis of the skin is
composed of a horny layer, a granular layer, a squamous layer,
and a basal layer in order from top to bottom. The horny layer
of the epidermis has a water content of about 10-20%, forms the
1^
outermost layer of the skin, and functions to inhibit the
evaporation of water from the body while preventing excessive
penetration of external substances (J. Invest. Dermatol.
80(Suppl.), 44-49. 1983). The dermis of the skin is composed
of a papillary layer and a reticular layer. The papillary
layer is made of connective tissue that includes tough
collagenous fibers and elastic fibers, which makes the skin
tough and elastic, and thus it plays a crucial role in skin
elasticity (wrinkles). The subcutaneous tissue of the skin is
a layer made of connective layer and is sometimes called the
fat tissue layer. The subcutaneous tissue is mainly made of
loose connective tissue distributed in the subcutaneous fat
layer, and adipocytes in the subcutaneous tissue function to
store heat and as a buffer.
The causes of skin aging are largely classified into two
categories: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic
aging occurs naturally with increasing age. Extrinsic aging
refers to skin damage resulting from long-term exposure to
sunlight and includes photo-aging, and aging caused by reactive
oxygen species. When the horny layer is damaged by the UV
radiation of sunlight, the over-proliferation of cells in the
horny layer occurs,, and as a result, the thickness of the horny
layer increases while photo-aging occurs. Further, due to skin
damage caused by UV radiation, the collagen production ability
of the dermal layer decreases, and as a result, the dermal
3
layer becomes gradually thinner so that thicker and deeper
wrinkles than those caused by intrinsic aging are produced. It
is well known from many studies that reactive oxygen species
(ROS) are involved in skin aging. The free radical theory of
aging was proposed by Harman in 1956, and according to this
theory, various reactive oxygen species produced during normal
metabolic processes cause cumulative oxidative damage,
resulting in aging and death. A living body has the ability to
protect itself against damage caused by reactive oxygen
species, but the protection is not complete, and thus the body
is damaged by some reactive oxygen species. This cumulative
oxidative damage occurs slowly and chronically over a period of
several years or throughout the life in some cases to reduce
the functions of skin cells or tissues, resulting in disease
and aging. As the consumer's desire to look younger and the
demand for functional cosmetic products increased, studies on
cosmetic products for improving skin elasticity and reducing
skin wrinkles have been actively conducted.
Generally, cosmetic products aim to keep the body clean,
make the skin beautiful and attractive and protect the skin or
hair from UV radiation or a dry environment to prevent aging.
Recently, with the development of industrial society and an
increase in social activity, the consciousness to positively
express oneself has increased, and the desire to keep the skin
beautiful and healthy using cosmetic products greatly
V
increased. Thus, skin care and makeup cosmetic products of
various types and formulations have been studied and developed,
and among them, cosmetic products for improving skin elasticity
and reducing skin wrinkles have been recognized as the most
important products.
Accordingly, various cosmetic raw materials for improving
skin elasticity and reducing skin wrinkles have been developed,
and natural plant-derived raw materials have recently received
a great deal of attention compared to animal-derived raw
materials. Extracts from seaweeds which keep vitality in an
extreme marine environment and contain large amounts of good
nutrients are believed to show more potent effects and have a
high consumer preference. In fact, seaweeds which are used as
foods are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals, and thus
it is believed that, when these seaweeds are applied to the
skin, the effects thereof can be transferred directly to the
skin.
Disclosure
Technical Problem
Accordingly, the present inventors have conducted
extensive studies on the effects of seaweed extracts on the
skin, and as a result, have found that a gulf weed extract, a
sea staghorn extract and a brown seaweed extract have the
effects of reducing oxidative stress in the skin and reducing
S"
skin wrinkles, thereby completing the present invention.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a cosmetic composition which has an antioxidant effect
and excellent effects of improving skin elasticity and reducing
skin wrinkles.
Technical Solu'tion
In order to accomplish the above object, the present
invention provides a cosmetic composition for providing
antioxidant protection to the skin, improving skin elasticity
and reducing skin wrinkles, the composition containing a
gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn extract and a brown seaweed
extract as active ingredients.
Advemtageous Effects
The cosmetic composition of the present invention
contains a gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn extract and a brown
seaweed extract, which enhance antioxidant activity in the skin
and have excellent effects of improving skin elasticity and
reducing skin wrinkles.
Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is a graphic diagram showing the effects of a
gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn extract and a brown seaweed
extract, which are used in the present invention, on the
(>
protection of keratinocytes from UV-induced damage.
Best Mode
A cosmetic composition according to the present invention
contains, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from
the group consisting of a gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn
extract and a brown seaweed extract.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
further detail.
Gulfweed. {Sargassum fulvellum) which is used as an active
ingredient in the cosmetic composition of the present invention
has roots, stems and leaves, which are clearly distinguished
from each other, and the roots are holdfast. Gulfweed has one
main branch and grows over 1-3 m. The stems are pillar or
triangular in shape and twist. The leaves grow from the stem
toward the base and twist. Also, the leaves are wooden spoonshaped
or oval shaped and have mid veins. The upper leaves are
lancet-shaped and have sawtooth-shaped protrusions at the
edges, and bubbles are formed from the stem of the body.
Gulfweed is deep yellowish brown in color and is distributed in
the seashores in Korea. Gulfweed contains, as main components,
alginic acid, chlorophyll a-c, (3-carotene, fucoxanthin,
laminarin and mannitol. Gulfweed has very low dietary fiber
and fat contents when analyzed in an unprocessed state, but has
a dietary fiber and fat content of 30% or more when analyzed in
%
a state processed into powder. The content of dietary fiber in
gulfweed is higher than the content of carbohydrates. In
Korea, many species of the genus Sargassum are used as foods
and are also used for the production of alginic acid and the
like in the industrial field or as fertilizers. Alginic acid
is known to help in the digestive process of the stomach, help
in bowel movement to reduce constipation, and is effective for
the prevention of colorectal cancer. Gulfweed is effective
against hypertension and osteoporosis due to its high mineral
content and is effective against thyroid dysfunctions due to
its high iodine content.
Sea staghorn {Codium fragile) which is used as an active
ingredient in the cosmetic composition of the present invention
has smooth feeling, is dark blue in color, and is plain in
taste to improve the taste of Kimchi, as recorded in JaSanEoBo
(the Korean fisheries science book written by the scholar Jeong
Yak-Jeon), suggesting that sea staghorn has been used as a
material for improving the taste of Kimchi. Sea staghorn is
known as Miru in Japanese, which means a pine living in the
sea. It has a height of 10-30 cm and a thickness of 1.5-3 mm,
and the lower portion thereof is slightly thicker than the
upper portion. The branches are split like an antler, grow
straight and reach the same height to form a fan shape. The
surface is soft like cotton flannel, and colorless and
transparent thread-like tissues are irregularly entangled as
#
can be seen with a microscope. Young sea staghorn has hair at
the fore part, particularly the upper part, but the hair is
removed with the passage of time, leaving a mark. All the
parts of the body of sea staghorn are connected to each other
without having a membrane between cells so that several cell
nuclei are contained in one cell. Sacks containing spores are
club-shaped, the length is 5-7 times the thickness, and the top
is pointed. Sea staghorn has a high dietary fiber content and
contains large amounts of minerals, including calcium, iron,
vitamin A, vitamin C, and niacin.
Brown seaweed {Undaria pinnatifida) which is used in the
cosmetic composition of the present invention is a thalloid
plant whose root, stem and leaf are clearly distinguished from
each other. Brown seaweed is distributed in all the coasts in
Korea, but is not distributed in areas which are strongly
influenced by cold and warm currents. It lives on rocks near
the low-water line, but tends to live in deep water in the
southern district of Korea and in shallow water in the northern
district. It is collected mainly during the period from winter
to spring and has the best taste during this period. It
propagates during the period from spring to summer. It is main
feed for ear shells and conches and is used for edible purposes
in Korea, Japan, China and the like. It is rich in dietary
fiber, potassium, calcium, iodine and the like, activates
metabolism and has excellent effects on postnatal care, the
i
prevention of constipation and obesity and the supplement of
iron and calcium. Thanks to such advantages, brown seaweed has
been long ago. There is a record that brown seaweed was
exported to China from the Goryeo period. Goryeo Dogyeong (a
book about the Goryeo Dynasty written by a Chinese scholar)
describes that "brown seaweed is frequently taken irrespective
of rank. It is salty in taste and smells fishy, but is good to
eat if it is taken for a long period of time". Also, Goryeosa
(a compilation on the history of Goryeo) describes that King
Munjong, the 11*^^ king of Goryeo, granted a place for collecting
brown seaweed in the year 1058. King Chungsun, the 26^^^ king of
Goryeo, gave brown seaweed to the Empress Dowager of the Yuan
Dynasty in the year 1301." Also, Donguibogam (a medical
encyclopedia compiled during the Joseon Kingdom) describes that
brown seaweed is cold in nature, salty in taste and nonpoisonous.
It reduces fever, eliminates oppression, treats
"Ki" and promotes urination. Dried brown seaweed contains
12.7% protein, 52% carbohydrate, 1.1% fat, 1300 mg% Ca, 140 lU
vitamin A, 0.11 mg% vitamin Bl, 0.14 mg% vitamin B2, 10 mg%
nicotinic acid, and 15 mg% vitamin C. Brown seaweed has a high
calcium content comparable to that of powdered milk, contains
100 mg% iodine and is strongly alkaline food. Also, brown
seaweed contains alginic acid as a viscous substance, and the
content of alginic acid is lower in the root than the leaf or
the stem. Main carotenoid pigments in brown seaweed include
)^
fucoxanthine, violaxanthine, lutein, and (3-carotene.
The gulfweed extract, sea staghorn extract and brown
seaweed extract of the present invention can be prepared
according to a conventional method known in the art. For
example, these extracts can be prepared by distilling each of
freeze-dried gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown seaweed with
steam, extracting the distillation products using glycerin as a
solvent, and purifying the extracts.
The cosmetic composition of the present invention contains
each of the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn extract and the
brown seaweed extract in an amount of 0.001-30 wt% based on the
total weight of the composition. If the content of each
extract in the cosmetic composition is less than 0.001 wt%, the
composition will have no distinct effect, and if the content is
more than 30 wt%, an increase in the content will not lead to a
distinct increase in effects.
When the cosmetic composition of the present invention
contains a mixture of the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn
extract and the brown seaweed extract, the effects of providing
antioxidant protection to the skin, reducing skin wrinkles and
improving skin elasticity can further be increased. Also, when
the cosmetic composition of the present invention contains a
mixture of the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn extract and
the brown seaweed extract, the active ingredients will show
synergistic effects, and thus the effects of providing
w
antioxidant protection to the skin, reducing skin wrinkles and
improving skin elasticity will be significantly increased.
The cosmetic coirposition for skin external application
according to the present invention contains a cosmetically and
skin-scientifically acceptable medium and/or base. The
cosmetic composition may be provided in any form for topical
application. For example, the cosmetic composition may be
provided in the form of solution, gel, solid or pasty anhydrous
product, oil-in-water emulsion, suspension, microemulsion,
microcapsule, microgranule, or ionic (liposome) and/or nonionic
vesicle dispersion. Alternatively, it may be provided in
the form of cream, skin, lotion, powder, ointment, spray, or
conceal stick. In addition, the composition for skin external
application according to the present invention may be prepared
according to a conventional method known in the art. Further,
the cosmetic composition for skin external composition
according to the present invention may also be used in the form
of a foam composition or an aerosol composition further
containing a compressed propellant.
The cosmetic composition for skin external application
according to the present invention may contain additives which
are generally used in the cosmetic field or the skin science
field, for example, fatty substance, organic solvent,
solubilizing agent, thickener, gelling agent, softener,
antioxidant, suspending agent, stabilizer, foaming agent.
) ^
fragrance, surfactant, water, ionic or non-ionic emulsifying
agent, filler, metal ion sequestering agent, metal ion
chelating agent, preservative, vitamins, blocker, wetting
agent, essential oil, dye, pigment, hydrophilic or hydrophobic
activator, lipid vesicle, or other components which are
generally used in the cosmetic field or the skin science field.
These additives are introduced in amounts which are generally
used in the cosmetic field or the skin science field.
Mode for Invention
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
further detail with reference to examples and test examples,
but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these
examples.
Preparation Example 1: Preparation of gulfweed extract
1 kg of freeze-dried gulfweed was distilled with steam for
12 hours, and the distillation product was macerated in 70%
glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Preparation Example 2: Preparation of sea staghorn extract
1 kg of freeze-dried sea staghorn was distilled with steam
for 12 hours, and the distillation product was macerated in 70%
glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Preparation Example 3; Preparation of brown seaweed
)3
1 kg of freeze-dried brown seaweed was distilled with
steam for 12 hours, and the distillation product was macerated
in 70% glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Preparation Example 4: Preparation of extract of mixture
of gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown seaweed
Freeze-dried gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown seaweed were
mixed with each other at a weight ratio of 1:1:1 and distilled
with steam for 12 hours. The distillation product was
macerated in 70% glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Preparation Example 5: Preparation of extract of mixture
of gulfweed and sea staghorn
Freeze-dried gulfweed and sea staghorn were mixed with
each other at a weight ratio of 1:1 and distilled with steam
for 12 hours. The distillation product was macerated in 70%
glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Preparation Example 6: Preparation of extract of mixture
of gulfweed and brown seaweed
Freeze-dried gulfweed and brown seaweed were mixed with
each other at a weight ratio of 1:1 and distilled with steam
for 12 hours. The distillation product was macerated in 70%
glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Preparation Example 7: Preparation of extract of mixture
of sea staghorn and brown seaweed
Freeze-dried sea staghorn and brown seaweed were mixed
with each other at a weight ratio of 1:1 and distilled with
h
steam for 12 hours. The distillation product was macerated in
70% glycerin at 4 °C for 7 days, and then purified.
Test Example 1; Effect on protection from UV-induced cell
damage
Keratinocytes isolated from human epidermal tissue were
added to each well of a 96-well cell culture plate at a density
of 1x10'' cells per well and attached for 24 hours. After 18
hours, the medium was removed and 50 /^ of phosphate buffered
saline (PBS) was added to each well. The keratinocytes were
irradiated with 30 mJ/cm" of UV light from a UV-B lamp (Model:
F15T8, UV B 15W, Sankyo Dennki, Japan), after which PBS was
removed and 200 /^ of karatinocyte growth media (Clonetics,
BioWhittaker, MD, USA) was added to each well. Then, the cells
were treated with each of the gulfweed extract, sea staghorn
extract, brown seaweed extract and mixed extracts prepared in
Preparation Examples 1 to 7 and were cultured for 20 hours.
After a specific amount of time, a suitable amount of the
culture supernatant was collected and the amount of lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) indicative of cell damage was quantified
for 20 hours. The amount of LDH in the culture supernatant was
measured using Cytotox 96 non-radioactive cytotoxicity assay™
kit (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) . The LDH secretion (%) could
be obtained by calculating the value of each group relative to
the vehicle control group taken as 100, and the results of the
calculation are shown in FIG. 1.
IS"
As can be seen in FIG. 1, the results of comparison
between the group treated with each of the gulfweed extract,
the sea staghorn extract and the brown seaweed extract and the
group treated with the extract of the mixture of two or more of
gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown seaweed indicated that
treatment with each of the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn
extract and the brown seaweed extract could somewhat inhibit
the increase in LDH caused by UV-induced damage to the human
keratinocytes, but treatment with the extract of the mixture of
two or more of the active ingredients more significantly
inhibited the increase in LDH. Particularly, the LDH level of
the cells treated with the extract of the mixture of gulfweed,
sea staghorn and brown seaweed was reduced to the level similar
to that of the control group (vehicle) not treated with UV
light.
Therefore, it was found that the gulfweed extract, sea
staghorn extract and brown seaweed extract of the present
invention have excellent effects of protecting skin cells from
external stimuli such as UV radiation.
Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Example 1
According to the compositions shown in Table 1 below,
cream formulations of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Example 1
were prepared.
Table 1 (unit: wt%)
Cortponents Exainple Example Exanple Exairple Exanple Example Example Corrpara
) ^
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Preparation
Exaitiple 1
Preparation
Example 2
Preparation
Example 3
Preparation
Example 4
Preparation
Exanple 5
Preparation
Example 6
Preparation
Example 7
Purified water
Glycerin
Butylene glycol
Hyaluronic acid
extract
Beta-glucan
Carbomer
Triethanolamine
caprylic/capric
triglyceride
Squalane
Cetearyl
glucoside
Sorbitan stearate
Cetearyl alcohol
Preservative
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
3
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
4
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
5
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
6
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
tive
Example
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
balance
8
4
5
7
0.15
q.s.
8
5
1.5
0.4
2
q.s.
Method for preparation of cream formulations of Examples 1
to 7 and Comparative Example 1
)V
1) Components (1) to (12) in Table 1 above were uniformly
mixed with heating to 70 °C to prepare an aqueous phase part.
2) Components (15) to (20) were uniformly mixed with
heating to 70 °C to prepare an oil phase part.
3) The oil phase part of step 2) was added to the aqueous
phase part of step 1) and homogeneously mixed at 7,200 rpm for
6 minutes.
4) The mixture of step 3) was cooled to room temperature.
Test Example 2; Effect on improvement in skin elasticity
In order to test the effect of improving the elasticity of
human skin, the formulations of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative
Example 1 were tested in the following manner. Each of the
formulations was applied to the face of each of twenty 25-35
years old women twice (morning and evening) a day for 8 weeks,
and then the effect of improving skin elasticity was measured
using Cutometer SEM 575 (C+K Electronic Co., Germany), and the
results of the measurement are shown in Table 2 below. The
values in Table 2 are the viscoelasticities measured by the
Cutometer SEM 575.
Table 2: Effects on improvement in skin elasticity
Test material
Example 1
Example 2
Exanple 3
Example 4
Exanple 5
Example 6
Effect on skin elasticity
0.31±0.10
0.27±0.10
0.37±0.10
0.4910.10
0.33+0.10
0.4010.10
\%
Example 7
Cortparative
Exaitple 1
0.41±0.10
0.22±0.09
As can be seen from the results in Table 2 above, the
group treated with each of the gulfweed extract, the sea
staghorn extract and the brown seaweed extract showed increased
skin elasticity, and the skin elasticity of the group treated
with the extract of the mixture of two or more of gulfweed, sea
staghorn and brown seaweed was further improved. Particularly,
the group treated with the extract of the mixture of gulfweed,
sea staghorn and brown showed the highest skin elasticity.
Therefore, it was found that the gulfweed extract, sea
staghorn extract and brown seaweed extract of the present
invention have excellent effects of improving skin elasticity.
Test Example 3: Effects on stimulation of collagen
production
For the comparison of the ability to produce collagen, a
negative control (untreated) and vitamin C as a positive
control were used. Using fibroblast cell line hs68, the
ability to produce type 1 procollagen and the ability to
inhibit collagenase synthesis were measured.
Fibroblasts were added and attached to a FALCON 48-well
plate at a density of 5xl0''/well, and then treated with 1 ppm of
each of the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn extract, the
brown seaweed extract or the mixture of two or more thereof.
\'The cells were cultured for 24 hours, and then the production
of type 1 procollagen in the culture supernatant was measured
using a type 1 pN collagen EIA kit. The production of type 1
procollagen was normalized by the total amount of protein and
compared between the control group and the test groups. The
results of the measurement are shown in Table 3 below.
Table 3
Groups
Vitamin C
Gulfweed extract
Sea staghorn extract
Brown seaweed extract
Extract of mixture of
sea staghorn
Extract of mixture of
brown seaweed
Extract of mixture of
and brown seaweed
gulfweed
gulfweed
and
and
sea staghorn
Extract of mixture of gulfweed,
staghorn and brown seaweed
sea
Collagen production
27.8% increase
15.2% increase
11.5% increase
18.1% increase
15.2% increase
20.4% increase
19.2% increase
22.9% increase
As can be seen from the results in Table 3 above, the
group treated with each of the gulfweed extract, the sea
staghorn extract and the brown seaweed extract showed increased
collagen production, and the production of collagen in the
group treated with the extract of the mixture of two or more of
gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown seaweed was further increased.
Particularly, the group treated with the extract of the mixture
2-0
of gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown showed the highest collagen
production.
Therefore, it was found that the gulfweed extract, sea
staghorn extract and brown seaweed extract of the present
invention have excellent effects of reducing skin wrinkles by
stimulating collagen production.
Test Example 4: Effect on inhibition of collagenase
synthesis
In order to measure the ability to inhibit collagenase
synthesis, a negative control (untreated) and retinoic acid as
a positive control were used.
Fibroblasts were added and attached to a FALCON 48-well
plate at a density of 5xl0''/well, and then irradiated with 15
mJ/cuf of UVB. Then, the cells were treated with 1 ppm of each
of the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn extract, the brown
seaweed extract or the mixture of two or more thereof. The
cells were cultured for 24 hours, and then the production of
MMP-1 (matrix metalloproteinases-1; a kind of collagenase) in
the culture supernatant was measured using an MMP-1 ELISA kit.
The amount of MMP-1 was normalized by the total amount of
protein, and the results of the measurement are shown in Table
4 below.
Table 4
Groups
Retinoic acid (IM)
Gulfweed extract
MMP-1 synthesis
51.6% decrease
23.1% decrease
1Sea staghorn extract
Brovm seaweed extract
Extract of mixture of gulfweed and
sea staghorn
Extract of mixture of gulfweed and
brown seaweed
Extract of mixture of sea staghorn
and brown seaweed
Extract of mixture of gulfweed, sea
staghorn and brown seaweed
19.7%
28.1%
23.6%
33.1%
30.9%
46.7%
decrease
decrease
decrease
decrease
decrease
decrease
As can be seen from the results in Table 4 above, the
group treated with each of the gulfweed extract, the sea
staghorn extract and the brown seaweed extract showed reduced
collagenase synthesis, and the synthesis of collagenase in the
group treated with the extract of the mixture of two or more of
gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown seaweed was further inhibited.
Particularly, the group treated with the extract of the mixture
of gulfweed, sea staghorn and brown showed the best effect on
the inhibition of collagenase synthesis.
Therefore, it was found that the gulfweed extract, sea
staghorn extract and brown seaweed extract of the present
invention have excellent effects of reducing skin wrinkles by
effectively inhibiting collagenase synthesis.

We Claim:
1. A cosmetic composition containing, as an active
ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of
a gulfweed extract, a sea staghorn extract and a brown seaweed
extract.
2. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein each of
the gulfweed extract, the sea staghorn extract and the brown
seaweed extract is contained in an amount of 0.001-30 wt% based
on the total weight of the composition.
3. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the
composition is for anti-aging.
4. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the
composition is for improving skin elasticity.
5. The cosmetic composition of claim 1, wherein the
composition is for reducing skin wrinkles.