The Profound Anti-Aging Benefits Of Astaxanthin

Here’s the skin-science behind one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants:

It’s the powerful microalgae-derived antioxidant that gives shrimp & salmon their signature pink hue — and it may just be one of the most effective anti-aging ingredients you’ve ever tried.

Astaxanthin (as-tax-an-thin) is a keto-carotenoid that contains hydroxyl and ketone functional groups. With antioxidant effects that are significantly more potent than vitamins C & E, this bioactive compound offers several benefits to your skin:

• Help prevent wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, & elasticity loss
• Repair sun-damaged skin cells
• Reduce irritation & calm skin conditions
• Strengthen the skin’s protective barrier to prevent moisture loss

When creating our Gold Serum - which many consider their favorite Alitura product - we knew that Astaxanthin, one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, needed to make the final design. It can be a tricky ingredient to formulate with (and many brands get it wrong), but with the right supporting cast of natural oils & toxin-free emulsifiers, it’s the perfect addition to your anti-aging skincare routine.

Just How Powerful Is Astaxanthin?

For general antioxidant effects (like free radical scavenging), Astaxanthin is:

• 65 times stronger than Vitamin C
• 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E

But this bioactive compound’s true specialty lies in singlet oxygen quenching (the neutralization of reactive oxygen molecules that can damage your skin cells, accelerating the visible signs of aging). 

When it comes to protecting from oxidative stress, Astaxanthin is:

• 6,000 times greater than vitamin C
• 800 times stronger than coenzyme Q
• 550 times more powerful than green tea catechins

According to a 2018 survey of research.

But what does this mean for your skin? Let’s dive into the science.

Skincare Benefits of Astaxanthin

Anti-Aging Effects

Clinical studies have demonstrated that topical astaxanthin applications can effectively reduce skin aging.

Several factors can cause wrinkles, fine lines, & other signs of aging… but free radicals (and the resulting oxidative stress) are a notable concern for those looking to keep their complexion dewy, plump, & smooth.

Free radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions with at least one unpaired electron. As you’ll remember from science class, electrons prefer to come in pairs. The molecule desperately wants to right this wrong, so it bounces around stealing electrons from other molecules. 

This creates imbalance, which our body tries to fix with antioxidants. If none are present, the free radicals cause oxidative stress, which leads to wrinkles, sagging, age spots, and broken skin vessels.

But when you treat your skin with astaxanthin, you can stop this process in its tracks. 

Astaxanthin can “donate” electrons without sacrificing its stability — quickly making free radicals whole (and calm) again. This is an antioxidant function known as “chain breaking.”

This naturally-occurring keto-carotenoid can also take preventive measures, protecting molecules before they become free radicals — by helping maintain membrane structure & boosting endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity.

Whether or not you’re interested in the science behind antioxidants and astaxanthin, we know you’ll love the results you see in the mirror. 

Maintaining elasticity & protecting against the signs of aging… all thanks to a bioactive compound found in microalgae? Sign us up for that.

Protect & Repair Sun Damage

Years spent in the sun can damage our skin. UV exposure accumulates over time, causing inflammation, discoloration, and accelerated aging.

UV radiation is one of the most common generators of oxidative free radicals — so if you live somewhere sunny, Astaxanthin is definitely your friend.

Astaxanthin has also been shown to: 

• Enhance the protective role of sunscreen
• Minimize DNA damage from UV exposure
• Inhibit the decrease in collagen fibers in skin exposed to UV radiation

Note that Astaxanthin complements SPF… it does not act as an SPF alternative.

Don’t let the sun zap away your youthful glow! Always take steps to protect your skin from prolonged UV exposure & the oxidative stress that ensues. Astaxanthin certainly has a role to play in that mission.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Inflammation is a silent enemy of youthful skin, contributing to everything from redness and irritation to accelerated aging. This is where Astaxanthin's remarkable anti-inflammatory capabilities swoop in to help.

Astaxanthin works through multiple pathways to calm and soothe irritated skin. It effectively blocks excessive NF-κB signaling—a key regulator of inflammatory responses—by suppressing various components of this pathway. 

This means less inflammation at the cellular level, where it matters most.

Astaxanthin is particularly impressive because it can decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory markers that contribute to skin aging and irritation. It reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and enzymes like cyclooxygenase-2 that drive inflammation in the skin.

Astaxanthin offers a natural solution to those with sensitive or reactive skin.

Clinical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing inflammation-related skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis. Its anti-inflammatory properties work synergistically with its antioxidant capabilities, creating a powerful duo that not only calms existing inflammation but helps prevent future flare-ups.

Whether you're dealing with occasional redness, chronic sensitivity, or simply want to maintain a calm, even complexion, Astaxanthin's scientifically-proven anti-inflammatory effects make it an invaluable addition to your skincare routine.

Moisture Retention

Hydrated skin is happy skin—and Astaxanthin helps your complexion maintain optimal moisture levels.

Clinical studies have consistently shown that Astaxanthin improves skin hydration from multiple angles. 

In a comprehensive review of clinical trials, researchers found that astaxanthin supplementation significantly improved skin moisture content by the end of the study periods.

These moisture-boosting effects occur because Astaxanthin strengthens the skin's protective barrier. This barrier is essential for preventing trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), the process by which moisture escapes from the skin into the atmosphere. By reducing TEWL, Astaxanthin helps the skin retain its natural hydration.

In one study, participants who used Astaxanthin orally and topically for eight weeks showed significant improvement in skin moisture content. The treatment enhanced the skin's ability to stay hydrated, resulting in a plumper, more radiant appearance.

Even more impressive, Astaxanthin was shown (in the same study) to improve the condition of corneocytes—the cells that make up your skin's outermost layer and play a vital role in moisture retention. 

By optimizing these cells' function, Astaxanthin helps create a more effective moisture barrier.

For those seeking a dewy, balanced complexion, Astaxanthin works from within the skin's structure to lock in hydration and maintain that fresh, supple look we all desire.

Treating Skin With Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin offers remarkable benefits for skin health. However, this powerful antioxidant is poorly solubilized in water, chemically unstable, and has low bioavailability, making its use in cosmetic formulations a significant challenge. 

These limitations can prevent Astaxanthin from effectively reaching the stratum corneum, the skin's outermost layer, where it needs to penetrate to deliver its full benefits. If you’ve been let down in the past by other Astaxanthin products… this was almost certainly a contributing factor.

But there’s good news.

Research (and our 11-year experience formulating artisan skincare) highlights the importance of specialized delivery systems for enhancing Astaxanthin's properties and overcoming these limitations. We can improve Astaxanthin's stability, antioxidant potential, and biological activities with the right complementary ingredients.

The Perfect Pairing

Our formula meticulously combines Organic Oils (Jojoba, Olive, Rosehip, and Hemp Seed) to create an ideal lipid-based delivery system for Astaxanthin. Since this keto-carotenoid is fat-soluble, these oils significantly improve its absorption and retention. 

Our formulation also includes CoQ10, another powerful antioxidant that synergizes with Astaxanthin. When combined, your skin’s ability to protect against oxidative damage is raised.

The Organic Hawaiian beeswax in our Gold Serum helps create a stable emulsion system that preserves Astaxanthin's potency while allowing for its controlled release into the skin. Studies have shown that delivery systems such as emulsions can significantly enhance Astaxanthin's properties, including its stability and antioxidant potential.

These meticulously handpicked ingredients create a formulation that not only delivers Astaxanthin effectively to your skin but enhances its already impressive benefits, helping you:

• Protect against the signs of aging
• Counteract UV damage
• Soothe irritated skin
• Lock in moisture for all-day hydration

Experience the transformative power of Astaxanthin in our Gold Serum… 

Formulated with scientific precision to deliver this remarkable ingredient exactly where your skin needs it most.

 

Disclaimer: Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat and cure, or prevent disease. If you have a pre-existing skin condition, please consult a physician prior to use.