KATHARINA DOKULIL
BDI-BioLife Science, Raaba-Grambach, Austria

Abstract

Natural beauty is on the rise, and consumers are seeking for healthy and natural products to prolong the ageing process – for the beauty of the skin. Antioxidants play a very important role to prevent ageing. The most effective representative is astaxanthin as due to its biological potential of cell protection it is considered the strongest natural antioxidant. Therefore, it is the perfect choice as anti-ageing ingredient, as it acts as a protective shield to reduce environmental stress and skin ageing. Numerous clinical studies have already mentioned its positive effects on skin ageing processes due to its unique molecular structure. BDI-BioLife Science can prove the effects of astaxanthin with own human clinical studies in the field of cosmetics with its branded active ingredient, an oleoresin with an astaxanthin content of 5%.

As the largest organ of our body, our skin plays an important role as a protective barrier. Its health and morphology determine our appearance and significantly contribute to our wellbeing. As protective shield, the skin is constantly exposed to external environmental influences and stress caused by internal factors such as athletic exertion and external factors such as UV rays. To maintain and support the skin as a protective barrier, numerous active ingredients are used in cosmetics. As part of these active ingredients, antioxidants can neutralize stress factors in the skin.

Astaxanthin belongs to the carotenoid family and is considered the strongest natural antioxidant. Due to its special molecular structure (carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms), it is specifically classed among the xanthophylls (1).
Basically, natural astaxanthin can be produced in a unique biochemical process through photosynthetic bacteria, algae and yeasts. The highest concentrations are accumulated by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. In this specific microalga the molecule astaxanthin is directly linked to phospholipids and is present as monoester and diester, depending ...