If you’re looking for skincare recommendations and have yet to come across astaxanthin, you wouldn’t be the only one.
This is because, when we’re looking for the next product to add to our skincare shelf, it’s usually a product with several different chemicals in it.
It’s rare that you come across a recommendation for one single ingredient, but we’re so confident in the powers of astaxanthin and the benefits this will provide you with that it’s exactly what we’re doing today.
Before we go into its benefits, however, we should probably explain what astaxanthin actually is.
What is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant found in nature that has a number of different health benefits.
According to HealthcareWeekly, astaxanthin has a reddish color to it, and belongs to a type of nutrients called carotenoids.
This antioxidant is most highly concentrated in salmon, but can also be found in other foods, such as red trout, shrimp, crabs and lobsters.
If you aren’t a big fan of seafood, however, there’s no need to fret, as there are skincare product providers who have used astaxanthin in more traditional skincare products, like toners, oils, and moisturisers.
Since its discovery, astaxanthin has been found to have a number of different health benefits, but we’re going to focus solely on the skincare benefits for the sake of this article.
Why Astaxanthin Is Good For Your Skin
One of the biggest benefits of astaxanthin when it comes to your skin is that it never becomes pro-oxidant.
This means that the natural ingredient will prevent our cells from oxidation, which is where our skin loses electrons and begins to decay or decompose.
That sounds scary to think about, but all we really mean by that is that it helps your skin to remain fresher looking for longer.
This characteristic can also go on to lead to other skincare benefits, which we’re going to talk about below.
It’s worth noting that the health—and skin—benefits of astaxanthin have only been discovered in recent decades, so studies into the true benefits are still ongoing.
It’s entirely likely that, as time goes on and we gain a deeper understanding of the natural antioxidant, the benefits will only increase.
It Can Reduce Wrinkles & Increase Skin Elasticity
A Japanese study looked into the skin benefits of oral supplementation of astaxanthin.
They experimented with a 6mg supplement in combination with a tropical application of astaxanthin cream on 30 women between the ages of 25-50 over the course of 8 weeks.
You might think this is a relatively short period of time for a study, but they were able to pull some interesting outcomes.
This study found that there was reduced wrinkling and improved elasticity in the skin around the eyes, otherwise known as the ‘crow’s feet’ area of the face.
The same study also found skincare benefits to the cheeks on the face, with positive results including:
· Reduced age spots
· Improved skin texture
· Improved skin moisture content
It Can Slow Down Ageing With Anti-Aging Properties
The health of our skin is greatly impacted by the environmental exposures we force upon it, which can, in turn, increase the skin ageing process.
One of the environmental exposures that ages our skin is UV exposure, which can leave our skin inflamed.
This can speed up the ageing process and lead to premature wrinkling, dryness, loss of elasticity, and age spots.
Research has found, however, that astaxanthin has outstanding UV-blocking properties which help to assist the skin in protecting itself from sun damage.
This will slow down the ageing process as your skin will benefit from a lessened exposure to UV rays from the sun.
It’s worth noting that astaxanthin skincare products should not be used as a replacement for sunscreen. Instead, it makes a helpful addition that can reinforce the properties of sunscreen and provide you with even more opportunities to decrease the ageing process.
It Increases Circulation
You might think circulation has absolutely nothing to do with your skin, and more to do with internal organs like your heart and lungs, but you’d be wrong.
Increased circulation can benefit your skin by increasing cell turnover, making your skin glow and look full of life for longer.
It also increases skin elasticity to leave you looking younger for longer, and increases water retention to give you a healthier glow at all times.
Astaxanthin Is 6000 times stronger than Vitamin C
If you know anything about skincare, you’ll probably have heard people raving about the vast benefits of including vitamin c in your routine.
Some of these benefits include:
· It boosts collagen production
· Fights free radical damage and signs of ageing
· Brightens dark spots
· Repairs skin
It may surprise you to learn that astaxanthin and vitamin c belong to the same family of antioxidants, but it’s true!
Even more than that, astaxanthin is 6000 times stronger, meaning you will reap more benefits within less time by swapping your vitamin c products for astaxanthin equivalents!
Conclusion
The truth is, we’re baffled that the benefits of astaxanthin aren’t more well known about.
Despite the vast amount of research studies that have taken place, and continue to throughout 2019 (and beyond!), the true skincare benefits of the natural antioxidant are yet to be embraced by the mainstream skincare community.
Now that you have this information, however, you’d be silly to let it go to waste and not take action.
Interestingly, though, astaxanthin isn’t just useful for skincare.
The studies in the healthcare realm have been even more extension, with some studies finding that astaxanthin can be used to help with heart disease in heart attack patients, and can help people with diabetes to control their blood sugars.
Even if you haven’t got a chronic condition, incorporating astaxanthin into your diet can help by increasing your energy, strength, eye health and even your brain health!
Obviously you’re going to need to do more than use skincare products to achieve those results, but even if you aren’t interested in those, making the switch in your skincare routine is great!
So what are you waiting for?
Use up your old skincare items if you must, but after that, make sure astaxanthin is a key ingredient in future skincare products you buy.
This post comes from Digital Authority Partners, a healthcare consulting firm out of Chicago, Il.
