Cosmetics—food waste recovery

The demand for the valorization and reuse of by-products is stronger than ever and is considered a serious challenge to the worldwide economy and society. In the field of food, processing by-products represents a major environmental issue that urgently needs to be solved. A panoply of studies has been carried out on food residues, particularly on fruit and vegetable wastes, in order to identify and quantify the phytochemicals present and evaluate its biological safety and efficacy for humans. The bioactive compounds present are mainly polyphenols, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Especially, the cosmetic field may benefit from high-added value ingredients. This chapter aims to revise the potential applications of bioactive compounds extracted from fruit, vegetable, and cereal by-products as active ingredients for skincare products. Their potential emollient, antiwrinkle, or antioxidant activity is critically reviewed and discussed.