A red natural pigment from the family of antioxidant carotenoids that occurs in many natural sources such as lobster and algae. It is mainly used as a colorant and soothing ingredient.
Antioxidant
Antioxidant
Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and prevent accelerated skin aging.
Antioxidant
Antioxidants reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals and prevent accelerated skin aging.
Soothing
Soothing
Soothing ingredients reduce the signs of sensitivity in irritated and inflamed skin. This includes anti-inflammatory ingredients, anti-itch agents, and topical analgesics.
Soothing
Soothing ingredients reduce the signs of sensitivity in irritated and inflamed skin. This includes anti-inflammatory ingredients, anti-itch agents, and topical analgesics.
Other functions
Colorant
Colorant
Colorants give color to skincare products.
Colorant
Colorant
Colorants give color to skincare products.
Origin
Algae,
Algae
Algae (seaweeds) are aquatic, photosynthetic organisms, ranging from a single cell to several meters in length. They are closely related to plants but belong to a separate, unique kingdom.
Algae,
Algae
Algae (seaweeds) are aquatic, photosynthetic organisms, ranging from a single cell to several meters in length. They are closely related to plants but belong to a separate, unique kingdom.
Biotech,
Biotech
The biotech origin of the ingredient implies that it was made in a lab using cultured microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) and a substrate (e.g. through the fermentation process), and then extracted and/or purified.
Biotech,
Biotech
The biotech origin of the ingredient implies that it was made in a lab using cultured microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) and a substrate (e.g. through the fermentation process), and then extracted and/or purified.
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Astaxanthin is a bright red natural pigment from the family of carotenoids.
It occurs in many animals and plants (salmon, lobsters, shrimp, various bacteria, and algae) and, for commercial use, is mainly obtained from the bright red microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, or from bioengineered Escherichia coli.
Like other compounds from the carotenoid family, astaxanthin is mainly used in skincare as a colorant and antioxidant ingredient. It is lipid-soluble (and therefore easily incorporated into creams and oils) and has an easier time absorbing into the skin’s surface than, say, water-soluble vitamin C.
Unlike beta-carotene, astaxanthin cannot be transformed into vitamin A in our body, so this function is missing. However, studies suggest various other beneficial effects of astaxanthin in skincare products.
The antioxidant effects of astaxanthin are the basis for its other activities, namely its anti-inflammatory activity and reparative effects against UV light-induced skin damage. Due to the reduction of inflamed skin, an improvement in the skin’s barrier function was observed in eczematous skin. In an experiment on hairless mice, astaxanthin applied to the skin was able to increase the skin’s moisture levels and prevent the formation of UV-induced wrinkles.
Additionally, in two clinical trials on volunteers, astaxanthin cream was able to improve the visual appearance of the skin in terms of skin roughness and visible wrinkles. These are very good preliminary results, but, as for any claims about its anti-aging effects, more studies with more diverse populations are needed (the studies above were done on healthy Japanese women).
The majority of the research is focused on astaxanthin in a pill form as a dietary supplement, with similar results to as stated above. However, there are limitations – long-term high doses of astaxanthin might stain your skin orange and the bright color of the ingredient may also prove to be unpleasant for cosmetic use – nobody wants their skin to be orange-red.
However, in controlled doses, astaxanthin is definitely a good, safe ingredient to include in skincare products.
Science
1
Ng, Q. X., et al. (2020). Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 1–14.
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