Astaxanthin

TYPE OF INGREDIENT​
Carotenoid
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Serums, gels, dietary Supplements

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS ASTAXANTHIN ?

There have been multiple randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials with many more prospective open-label studies on the benefits of astaxanthin. Many of them have shown that topical and oral astaxanthin improve skin texture, reduce wrinkles and improve moisture content in both men and women. Astaxanthin also has been putatively demonstrated to reduce the effects of photodamage through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-wound healing, immune-enhancing and DNA-repairing mechanisms.

WHAT IS ASTAXANTHIN?

Astaxanthin (3,30-dihydroxy-b,b-carotene-4,40-dione) is a metabolite from plants or microorganisms, most commonly from algae. It functions in pigmentation, ultraviolet light protection, immunomodulation, stress tolerance and oxidative stress protection in marine life. Compared with other carotenoids, its polar ends aid in reducing free radicals more, allowing for more antioxidant activity. Furthermore, it is not converted into vitamin A unlike other carotenoids. Animal studies in hairless mice have shown the benefits of astaxanthin in photoprotection, such as through dermal metalloproteinase inhibition.

IS ASTAXANTHIN SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?

Astaxanthin is likely safe for all skin types and tones based on available data. However, clinical trials of astaxanthin were conducted with a small sample size, mostly in healthy Japanese females. Nevertheless, no serious adverse effects have been reported.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

There are minimal data on contraindications for the topical application of astaxanthin. Although rare, patients with an allergy to astaxanthin, its components or its byproducts should avoid use of products containing astaxanthin.

Sources:

Blume-Peytavi U, Kottner J, Sterry W, et al. Age-Associated Skin Conditions and Diseases: Current Perspectives and Future Options. Gerontologist. 2016;56 Suppl 2:S230-S242.

Davinelli S, Nielsen ME, Scapagnini G. Astaxanthin in Skin Health, Repair, and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2018;10(4):522. Published 2018 Apr 22.

Higuera-Ciapara I, Félix-Valenzuela L, Goycoolea FM. Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applications. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46(2):185-196.

Komatsu T, Sasaki S, Manabe Y, Hirata T, Sugawara T. Preventive effect of dietary astaxanthin on UVA-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0171178. Published 2017 Feb 7.

Lorencini M, Brohem CA, Dieamant GC, Zanchin NI, Maibach HI. Active ingredients against human epidermal aging. Ageing Res Rev. 2014;15:100-115.

Ng QX, De Deyn MLZQ, Loke W, Foo NX, Chan HW, Yeo WS. Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies. J Diet Suppl. 2021;18(2):169-182.

Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-47.

Nishad Sathe, MD

Author

Nishad Sathe is a PGY-3 Internal Medicine/Dermatology resident at the University of Minnesota