Astaxanthin a natural anti-aging skincare ingredient. It’s role and potential
What is astaxanthin?
This molecule is a red pigment produced by an algae, planktons and micro-organisms. It is the micro-algae Haematococcus Pluvialis, which generates this “shield” nutrient to protect it from UV radiation and stress. Do algae get stressed? Yes, if their natural habitat is degraded, for example, they will generate oxidative stress, which is the main cause of skin aging in humans!
Astaxanthin is also at the origin of the extraordinary power that salmon have to go up rivers: the further they go in their journey, the higher the rate of presence of the molecule.
In fact, Krill, crustaceans, and flamingos feed on this microalga, which explains their color from pink to red. Astaxanthin is a natural complex (astaxanthin with ß-carotene, lutein, canthaxanthin, …) of components contained in algal biomass creating a synergistic effect which involves high bioavailability
Astaxanthin is part of the large family of carotenoids which helps to prepare our body and help it to react to free radicals.
Free radicals and antioxidants: how do our bodies react?
In contact with UV (the famous ultraviolet rays of the sun), but also with pollution, tobacco, stress… our body produces free radicals, responsible in particular for aging of the skin. The way to counter them: give our body a boost with antioxidants that will protect cells and slow down the skin aging process.
It has the particularity of not becoming pro-oxidant, unlike many antioxidants which can become so in certain circumstances (vitamin E, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, etc.).
And so, carotenoids contain antioxidants that will significantly boost your body against sun damage.
Protects from the inside out
It helps protect your skin from external aggressions by preparing it from the inside. It neutralizes free radicals and “singlet oxygen” produced under the action of radiation from the sun. All that in an algae, it’s really great what nature can offer us!
Several studies have also shown that astaxanthin also has a protective action on the retina and reduces the risk of macular degeneration. Other benefits would relate to cholesterol levels, immune stimulation. Our focus will be on the sun damage and how this molecule protects our skin
Today we are focusing on the sun!
ASTAXANTHIN IS A NATURAL ORGANIC ANTI-AGING MOLECULE
Sun and UV damage
The sun is one of nature’s great healers in many ways. We recommend a good “dose” of sunlight to everyone, especially during the summer when it is so readily available. It supports the production of vitamin D in the body which, in turn, promotes bone density, healthy blood pressure, and mental well-being. There is also evidence that shows that the sun’s rays can support the healing of wounds, and reduce the number of harmful bacteria and germs on the skin.
Due to the damage caused by humans to the Earth’s ozone layer, the sun is less and less of a benefactor, and is now also recognized for the damage it can cause to our skin. Due to ozone depletion, harmful UV rays are now reaching the Earth’s surface and we are experiencing its damage every day, more than ever before.
We are seeing unprecedented levels of premature skin aging, skin cancers such as melanoma, and conditions such as sunburn and burns. DNA is damaged by overexposure to harmful UV rays, and this happens more than ever during the summer. Science tells us that inflammation is the thing we need to always try and avoid at all cost and getting a sunburn is just that.
Sunburn = inflammation
sunburn is harmful. It doesn’t just involve your skin being red and sore for a few days. It is an inflammation at the surface level of your body. Even small amounts of sunlight can trigger this inflammation.
Inflammatory responses in the body are problematic for many reasons and are one of the main causes of premature aging, if not the main cause according to many specialists in the field. Just as we shouldn’t eat foods that promote inflammation, we shouldn’t allow inflammation to occur in our bodies from prolonged exposure to sunlight.
How to reduce inflammation?
BY mitigating the damage caused by sun exposure. High quality sunscreen is vital, using natural compounds and micro-ionized zinc oxide to act as protection, but we also recommend using a good anti-inflammatory gel to heal the skin.
We have included a link to Dr Rajani’s superbe video about Astaxathin
I used to struggle with acne breakouts, but this product has cleared my skin and prevented future breakouts. It’s a true game-changer. click here to say goodbye to acne!