Skin Care Insider

Researchers in Japan genetically engineered mice to be missing an enzyme that makes fatty acid chains (lipids) longer. They noticed that the mice suffered from dry eye disease, and many developed cloudy corneas over time. The researchers believe that their work has helped them identify the gene responsible for synthesizing the long-chain lipids needed to prevent dry eye disease.

Astaxanthin is photoprotective. Studies have found that it’s especially good at defending the skin from damage caused by UVA rays, which can break down the skin and lead to sagging and wrinkling. Other researchers have found that dermal fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen, can access and utilize astaxanthin even more effectively than beta-carotene.

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that skin elasticity decreases by 0.55% every year after menopause. Those declines can add up over time. So the researchers wanted to find out if they could decrease these declines.