There are so many creams out there but so little time, laments an editor friend of mine. The truth is that not all skin creams are made the same. If we were to get an upper hand on our skin aging process, we need to be selective about what we apply on our face. Unfortunately, many OTC products deliver empty promises, with many scoring no better than run of the mill hydrators with little to no anti-aging properties. Enter Astaxanthin.
We have heard about how antioxidants are vital for our skin, But do you know which antioxidants surpasses the rest of them? Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, is a secondary metabolite naturally synthesized by a number of bacteria, microalgae, and yeasts. Due to its collective diverse functions in skin biology, there is mounting evidence that astaxanthin possesses various health benefits and important nutraceutical applications in the field of dermatology. It’s no wonder that astaxanthin are increasingly being used to enhance the skin for anti-aging and complexion brightening purposes. Found in several formulations including Chai’s Red Tourmaline, it stabds out because of its characteristic naturally reddish hue. There is a reason why there is a loyal following for this water-based astaxanthin gel. Here are some of the skin benefits of astaxanthin, as in shown in various studies which makes it a must-have for those serious about good skin.
#1 It’s a powerful antioxidant
There are antioxidants and then there ARE antioxidants. What is oxidative stress? Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in human skin aging and dermal damage. Astaxanthin has recently caught the interest of researchers because of its powerful antioxidant activity and its ability to prevent oxidative stress in the skin. Comparative studies examining the photoprotective effects of carotenoids have demonstrated that Astaxanthin is a superior antioxidant, having greater antioxidant capacity than canthaxanthin and β-carotene in human dermal fibroblasts. This means that application of topical gels or creams containing astaxanthin could have a greater antioxidant and skin protective effect than other antioxidant creams
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#2 It reduces skin inflammation
It is well established that various pro-inflammatory markers in skin are increased as a result of UV exposure. Keratinocytes play a crucial role in the photodamage response after UV exposure by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators. It has been shown that Astaxanthin reduces the inflammation in the skin caused by external factors such as UV and pollution. Even in cases of chronic skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis, astaxanthin show promise due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
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#3 It strengthens skin immunity
Astaxanthin boosts skin immune function in studies. Astaxanthin appear to enhance both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. While more studies are required, it appears that Astaxanthin may be a potential tool against UV-induced immunosuppression.
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#4 It heals skin
In both intrinsic and extrinsic aging, there is loss of tensile strength and recoil capacity, wrinkle formation, dryness, and impaired wound. It has been shown that Astaxanthin is an effective compound for accelerating wound healing and to prevent skin damage in both intrinsic and extrinsic aging processes. When skin is treated with astaxanthin, it showed significantly increased expression of wound healing biological markers such as collagen type I α 1 (Col1A1) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).
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#5 It helps repair DNA
The exposure of the skin to UV radiation causes DNA damage. The biologically harmful effects associated with UV radiation exposure are largely the result of errors in DNA repair, which can lead to cancer-type mutations. Astaxanthin inhibits the UV-induced DNA damage and increases the expression of oxidative stress-responsive enzymes. It also protects the skin from further DNA damage.
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