Conventional skin treatments can indeed be costly, some can even do more harm than good so it is important to read labels carefully to know what you are buying. Most forget that there are effective natural treatments available, some of which often include natural compounds that have powerful antioxidant effects such as astaxanthin.
UK researchers found that supplementing astaxanthin can help to keep skin sagging at bay, according to the study published in the journal Nutritional Research. Antioxidants have been shown to reduce oxidative stress which accelerates aging, and astaxanthin is one of the most powerful in the world. Astaxanthin is 500 times stronger than vitamin E; 3,000 times stronger than quercetin and resveratrol; and up to 6,000 times more potent than vitamin C.
Effects of regular astaxanthin intake on oxidative stress was investigated in middle aged men and women. Taking astaxanthin on a regular basis was hypothesized to positively affect skin surface component morphology that allows detecting age related changes in corneocyte desquamation, lipid droplet size, and microbial presence.
31 participants aged 40+ were given 4 milligrams of astaxanthin for 4 weeks; samples were taken of RSSC from the surface of facial skin at the start and end of the study; and blood samples were taken at the start, 15th day, and at the end of the study period to measure levels of malondialdehyde.
Results showed malondialdehyde levels consistently dropped during astaxanthin supplementation. Analysis of RSSC samples showed levels of corneocyte desquamation and microbial presence significantly decreased which were more strongly pronounced in obese participants; all changes in RSSC are associated with characteristic of younger skin. Based on their findings it was concluded taking astaxanthin on a regular basis significantly reduces oxidative stress which leads to facial skin rejuvenation, which was especially seen in those who were obese.
Astaxanthin is a natural strain of algae which has been proven to provide many anti-aging skin benefits. Taking oral supplements for 8 weeks may help to significantly enhance the appearance and quality of skin, wrinkles, elasticity, moisture content, and skin texture in healthy individuals.
Astaxanthin has been demonstrated to protect skin cells from DNA damage in a study from Ireland. Other studies have shown it to help promote production of collagen in the skin by fighting oxidative stress. Treatment with astaxanthin can protect the skin against ultraviolet light exposure, protect skin from developing sunburn, and relieve skin with a sunburn with its anti-inflammatory properties while promoting skin rejuvenation when a topical application was used.
