Formulation Tips
From capsules to liquid shots, sachets to gummies, the possibilities for developing ingestible astaxanthin beauty products are almost unlimited. The astaxanthin application in topical formulations is quite versatile too. AstaReal’s bulk product range includes different concentrations in the form of biomass, oleoresin (oil), cold-water dispersible powder, and water-soluble emulsions, thus allowing the development of innovative dosage forms.
Low doses of astaxanthin are effective without affecting quality or benefits. Studies have shown significant results after oral supplementation in as little as 4-8 weeks, ensuring your customers will feel the benefits of astaxanthin. Most clinical research is based on an oral dose of 4-6 mg astaxanthin per day. Depending on where your products are sold, dosage recommendations an maximum intake levels may vary. To help determine which dose is right for your ingestible or topical formulations, just contact us and we will be happy to offer advice.
AstaReal® astaxanthin can be easily combined with a range of other ingredients. For example, combinations with collagen offer synergistic effects for skin health.(10) Other antioxidants, like ubiquinol and vitamins E and C, can help to protect the antioxidant capacity of astaxanthin. Lipids support astaxanthin absorption. Mimicking its natural presence in krill oil, astaxanthin partners perfectly with omega-3 too, and could even enhance the health benefits of krill oil or algae oil high in EPA/DHA.(11)
Brand owners and product developers are recommended to consider scientifically-formulated ingestible and high-quality topical products to deliver comprehensive skin support and visible benefits.
Consumers are increasingly paying attention to the origin of the products they buy. Thus, demand for more naturally and sustainably sourced products will continue to rise. Consequently, the industry is looking for plant-based sources of traditional ingredients, such as antioxidants, and is starting to focus on algae. Close to the bottom of the marine food chain, microalgae supply astaxanthin and omega-3 fatty acids to fish and krill, and represent a sustainable, vegan alternative to both.
Astaxanthin’s quality is affected by the environment in which the microalgae are cultivated. The indoor cultivation systems (photobioreactors) are best suited for producing high-value compounds, like astaxanthin. Overall, indoor, controlled cultivation systems, like the one AstaReal employs, allow for better control of factors affecting the final product’s quality and stability, including light control, temperature regulation, contamination risk, nutrient control, water quality, etc. This results in a safe product with high astaxanthin content in the biomass and without any environmental impurities.
(1) Ito, N.; Seki, S.; Ueda, F. The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2018, 10 (7), E817. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10070817.
(2) Tominaga, K.; Hongo, N.; Fujishita, M.; Takahashi, Y.; Adachi, Y. Protective Effects of Astaxanthin on Skin Deterioration. J Clin Biochem Nutr 2017, 61 (1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.3164/jcbn.17-35.
(3) Lee, S.-J.; Bai, S.-K.; Lee, K.-S.; Namkoong, S.; Na, H.-J.; Ha, K.-S.; Han, J.-A.; Yim, S.-V.; Chang, K.; Kwon, Y.-G.; Lee, S. K.; Kim, Y.-M. Astaxanthin Inhibits Nitric Oxide Production and Inflammatory Gene Expression by Suppressing I(Kappa)B Kinase-Dependent NF-kappaB Activation. Mol Cells 2003, 16 (1), 97–105.
(4) Tominaga, K.; Hongo, N.; Karato, M.; Yamashita, E. Cosmetic Benefits of Astaxanthin on Humans Subjects. Acta Biochim Pol 2012, 59 (1), 43–47.
(5) Suganuma, K.; Nakajima, H.; Ohtsuki, M.; Imokawa, G. Astaxanthin Attenuates the UVA-Induced up-Regulation of Matrix-Metalloproteinase-1 and Skin Fibroblast Elastase in Human Dermal Fibroblasts. J Dermatol Sci 2010, 58 (2), 136–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2010.02.009.
(6) Lyons, N. M.; O’Brien, N. M. Modulatory Effects of an Algal Extract Containing Astaxanthin on UVA-Irradiated Cells in Culture. J Dermatol Sci 2002, 30 (1), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0923-1811(02)00063-4.
(7) Yoshihisa, Y.; Rehman, M. U.; Shimizu, T. Astaxanthin, a Xanthophyll Carotenoid, Inhibits Ultraviolet-Induced Apoptosis in Keratinocytes. Exp Dermatol 2014, 23 (3), 178–183. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12347.
(8) 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. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0171178.(9) Davinelli, S.; Nielsen, M. E.; Scapagnini, G. Astaxanthin in Skin Health, Repair, and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients 2018, 10 (4), E522. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10040522.
(10) Yoon, H.-S.; Cho, H. H.; Cho, S.; Lee, S.-R.; Shin, M.-H.; Chung, J. H. Supplementating with Dietary Astaxanthin Combined with Collagen Hydrolysate Improves Facial Elasticity and Decreases Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 and -12 Expression: A Comparative Study with Placebo. J Med Food 2014, 17 (7), 810–816. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2013.3060.
(11) Rundblad, A.; Holven, K. B.; Bruheim, I.; Myhrstad, M. C.; Ulven, S. M. Effects of Fish and Krill Oil on Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Circulating Markers of Inflammation: A Randomised Controlled Trial. J Nutr Sci 2018, 7, e10. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2018.2.
