Astaxanthin can be included in a diet or consumed as a supplement to enjoy its several skin benefits. All these benefits produce a cumulative effect to impart a glowing look to the skin that is free from the ill-effects of aging. Given below is the list of various astaxanthin skin benefits.
•It improves the quality of the skin.
•Reduces skin dryness.
•Prevents sunburn by minimizing the damaging effects of UV rays.
•Decreases the skin’s susceptibility to the scorching sun thereby, making long stays in the sun a lot more tolerable.
•Helps in reversing signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots etc.
•Brings significant improvement in skin problems like pimples and acne.
•Gives the skin a smooth feel by increasing skin elasticity and tone.
How Does Astaxanthin Work?

Moving out in the sun is something that cannot be avoided. Sunlight is one of the prime factors that affects the skin and progresses it towards damage. Besides sunlight, other environmental factors like pollution and ozone also contribute towards deteriorating the quality of the skin. UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun are strong enough to penetrate the deep layers of the skin triggering the formation of ROS or Reactive Oxygen Species that are known to have a negative impact on the skin. When ROS is produced in excessive quantities, the extent of damage is further increased leading to the appearance of aging signs like dark spots, dark circles under the eye, dry skin, fine lines etc.

Astaxanthin present in the body is known as internal sunscreen as it acts against these negative effects. Nowadays, many skin care products containing astaxanthin are available which can be used to maintain a healthy, younger-looking skin. When such products are applied topically, astaxanthin begins its mechanism of action. ROS produced in the topmost layer of the skin reduces its capability to act as a natural barrier leading to loss of moisture from the skin. As a result, the skin becomes dull and dry. Astaxanthin scavenges these unwanted elements from the skin and revives its smoothness.

A sunburn is basically an inflammation of the skin as a result of the damaging effects of UV rays that penetrate deep into the tissues. This condition is relieved by astaxanthin due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It is said that the inflammation is minimized by the NF – kB kinase dependent pathway. Reactive Oxygen Species cause loss of skin tone and wrinkle formation by breaking the collagen matrix of the skin and producing high levels of matrix metalloproteinases. Astaxanthin decreases these effects to maintain a wrinkle-free skin.