Lipids from Insects in Cosmetics and for Personal Care Products

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The use of insects as a new source of lipids is a topic of great interest from both environmental and economic points of view. In addition to use in feed and energy applications, lipids could be used for the formulation of personal care products. The cosmetics industry is always in search of new ingredients to use in novel product formulations. The processes mediated by bioconverter insects, such as Hermetia illucens, are really advantageous because starting from substrates of low economic and biological value (agri-food by-products, zootechnical, catering, and other waste), it is possible to obtain products of high commercial value. The composition of insect lipids depends on the feeding substrate, as well as the insect species, therefore for each personal care application, it is possible to find the most suitable starting conditions. In this review, we display a general outlook on insect lipids, the extraction processes, and their use in cosmetics and personal care fields. ABSTRACT: Insects, the most varied group of known organisms on Earth, are arousing great interest also for the possibility to use them as a feed and food source. The mass rearing of some species, defined as “bioconverters”, is spreading worldwide, thanks to their sustainability. At the end of the bioconversion process, breeders obtain eco-friendly biomolecules of high biological and economic value, including proteins and lipids, from larvae of bioconverter insects, in particular Hermetia illucens. Besides the most classical use of insect lipids as food additives, they are also used in the formulation of several products for personal care. The composition of insect lipids depends on the substrate on which the insects are reared but also on the insect species, so the cosmetic producers should consider these features to choose their insect starting point. The most abundant fatty acids detected in H. illucens are lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic acids, regardless of feed substrate; its fatty acids composition is favorable for soap composition, while their derivatives are used for detergent and shampoo. Here, we offer an overview of insect lipids, their extraction methods, and their application in cosmetics and personal care products.