Harnessing astaxanthin: Lycored positions algae-derived LycoAsta for skin health

21 Oct 2021 --- Lycored is expanding its range of astaxanthin offerings with LycoAsta, its recently launched algae-derived skincare supplement. Carmit Dahan, global carotenoids product manager of health at Lycored, tells PersonalCareInsights how it taps into the growing demand for non-GMO, vegetarian and vegan products.

“The launch of LycoAsta focused on increasing consumer choice of the products and LycoAsta expanded the possibilities for astaxanthin applications. This enabled Lycored to offer options for softgels, tablets, hard-shell capsules, chewable tablets, gummies, nutritional bars and more.”

“As LycoAsta joins our other astaxanthin vegetarian beadlet, starch and astaxanthin gelatin beadlet offerings, it has expanded the possibilities for astaxanthin applications,” she adds.

The company details that lycopene and astaxanthin complement each other to deliver antioxidant support across all parts of the skin – with lycopene activating overall cellular responses and enabling more significant movement for the free-radical “hunter” astaxanthin.

Impact of algae
Algae-derived astaxanthin is a carotenoid that acts as a potent antioxidant. Exercising outside and other outdoor activities can lead to increased stress on skin, details Dahan.

“The natural astaxanthin is derived from green algae, Haematococcus pluvialis, which turns red and produces the potent molecule when faced with environmental stressors to help protect its cells and this aids in skin resilience.”

Skin is the body’s largest organ, and the aging process requires more upkeep to maintain its softness, radiance and resilience, she continues.Haematococcus pluvialis algae is a rich source of astaxanthin that reduces oxidative stress. 

“LycoAsta works from the inside out to keep skin looking and feeling healthy. As well as offering antioxidant benefits in their own right, astaxanthin solutions are patented for synergy with other carotenoids, such as lycopene.”

The key carotenoids in LycoAsta and Lycomato – Lycored’s standardized tomato extract – are lycopene and astaxanthin, and recent studies have shown that they complement each other well, explains Dahan.

“The two ingredients deliver antioxidant support across all parts of the skin – with lycopene ‘setting the stage’ by activating overall cellular responses and enabling greater movement for the free-radical astaxanthin,” she notes.

PersonalCareInsights previously reported how algae-based ingredients could be considered “promising ingredients” for immuno-cosmetics as they are beneficial for the skin and immune system.

Targeting ingestible skincare
Earlier this year, Lycored detailed how ingestible skincare solutions are in demand. Its survey shows that nine in ten consumers welcome the notion of a supplement that can promote healthy skincare in the sun.LycoAsta is an oleoresin - a combination of oil and resin extracted from plants and used in skin care formulations. 

Innova Market Insights echoes this demand as the beauty-from-within sector experienced a 52% average annual growth in the number of supplement launches tracked with a skin health claim between 2018 and 2020.

Additionally, research funded by Lycored found that the combination of carotenoids and polyphenols balances skin cell response to environmental elements, such as UV irradiation.

Sustainability efforts
Lycored has taken steps to ensure each part of its farming, production and sourcing processes are environmentally sustainable, Dahan comments.

“Through the implementation of a vertically integrated tomato farming system for Lycomato, minimizing water use, maximizing use of the entire fruit and composting the rest back into the earth, as well as using renewable energy sources, we can accelerate sustainability.”

“LycoAsta is clinically proven to be bioavailable and to work synergistically with other products in our tomato portfolio.”

Tracking Lycored’s growth
Lycored has been impacting the skincare space with NPD that is formulated from natural properties. In August, Lycored detailed the evolution of ingestible skincare, from “trend-status to mainstream status.”

In the same month, Lycored’s ingestible skin care extract, Lycoderm, a combination of carotenoids and polyphenols, was found to support the health of skin types across age groups.

By Nicole Kerr