# Slowing skin ageing from within: astaxanthin, micronutrients and what is established

> Around 80% of visible skin ageing is environmental. What oxidative stress does in the dermis, where astaxanthin comes in - and which claims are approved and which are not.

Skin does not age only with the years, but with the load. Around 80% of visible facial ageing goes back to external factors - UV radiation first among them. What happens biochemically is well described: oxidative stress running faster than repair.

## Oxidative stress in the skin - the mechanism

UV light, smoke, pollutants and intense physical exertion generate reactive oxygen species. In the dermis these activate enzymes of the matrix metalloproteinase family, which break down collagen and elastin fibres - faster than fibroblasts rebuild them. Fisher and colleagues described this cascade as the core mechanism of photoageing. The result only becomes visible years later, as loss of elasticity and fine lines.

## Astaxanthin - a carotenoid with unusual geometry

Astaxanthin is the red carotenoid of the alga *Haematococcus pluvialis*. Its molecular structure is the interesting part: unlike beta-carotene it carries polar groups at both ends, which lets it span the entire lipid bilayer of a cell membrane - inside, outside and mid-membrane at the same time. Ambati et al. (2014) summarise the evidence on chemistry, sources and applications.

Two things must be stated clearly here. First: astaxanthin is fat-soluble and poorly bioavailable; formulation matters more than the milligram figure. Second: there are **no EFSA-approved health claims** for astaxanthin, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol or curcumin. We therefore list these substances without effect statements.

## What is genuinely established for skin, hair and nails

For micronutrients the evidence is clear and officially reviewed. **Vitamin C** contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, bones and cartilage. **Biotin, niacin and zinc** contribute to the maintenance of normal skin, **zinc and selenium** to the maintenance of normal nails, **biotin, selenium and zinc** to the maintenance of normal hair. **Vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc** contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.

## How WOO® Beauty Caps puts this into practice

**[WOO® Beauty Caps](/en/shop/woo-beauty-caps-can)** combines exactly those two levels: the regulatorily established micronutrients - vitamin C (275 mg per daily serving), vitamin E, niacin, zinc, selenium, biotin, vitamin B6, D3 and K2 - with the plant and algal compounds whose research is still running: astaxanthin, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10, grape seed OPC, trans-resveratrol, curcumin and blood orange extract.

The astaxanthin is present in water-soluble micellar form - the formulation approach that addresses the bioavailability problem of fat-soluble carotenoids. Dosage: 2 capsules daily with plenty of water, sensibly at breakfast, because fat in the meal supports the uptake of fat-soluble components. One tin lasts 30 days.

## Frequently asked questions

**How long until you see something?**
The epidermis renews itself in roughly four weeks; collagen turnover in the dermis takes months. Studies on skin and micronutrients typically run 8 to 12 weeks.

**Capsules or collagen powder?**
Two different building sites: collagen powder supplies amino acids as building material, the capsules supply cofactors and cell protection. Vitamin C is the point where the two meet.

**Does this replace sun protection?**
No - an uncompromising no. Internal nutrient supply and topical UV protection are not alternatives but two separate necessities.

## Sources

Fisher GJ et al. (2002), Archives of Dermatology - Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging.
Ambati RR et al. (2014), Marine Drugs - Astaxanthin: sources, extraction, stability, biological activities and its commercial applications.
Boelsma E, Hendriks HFJ & Roza L (2001), American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - Nutritional skin care: health effects of micronutrients and fatty acids.
Pullar JM, Carr AC & Vissers MCM (2017), Nutrients - The roles of vitamin C in skin health.

*WOO® Beauty Caps - in the NEMAPO shop.*