Hypnea musciformis is a species of red alga that is rich in galactans (chains of the sugar galactose). Galactans are believed to protect the skin from deleterious damages caused by cellular and tissular glycation, according to one manufacturer of Hypnea musciformis extract. Glycation occurs when sugars enter the circulation and attach themselves to the amino groups of tissue proteins, such as collagen, rearranging their structure into something called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). As a result, AGEs cause once healthy collagen fibers to lose their elasticity, thereby becoming rigid, more brittle, and prone to breakage. By neutralizing AGEs, Hypnea musciformis extract reinforces the tissue functionality and helps the skin to maintain its elasticity, resulting in a more youthful appearance.