I was having a really hard time getting started writing this Sidmool The Secret of Red Astaxanthin Concentrate review and Astaxanthin ingredient spotlight. I seriously thought I had blogger's block or was burnt out or something... Is it just me, or is it really difficult to write about something that you don't have any feelings for? But let's grind this one out, because the queue is long and full of fairer [products]. (Ok, that was supposed to be a Melisandre impression.)
MEET ASTAXANTHIN
Astaxanthin is a caretenoid (fancy word for pigment, I found out) that is present in algae and sea creatures like salmon, trout, lobster and other crustaceans. And it's only recently that Astaxanthin has been used for human consumption, whether through supplements or in topical skincare products.
Astaxanthin is thought to be a monster antioxidant. According to Truth in Aging, a recent study has shown it to be a 1000's of times more effective than vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10, 100's of times more effective than vitamin E and polyphenols, and 20 times more effective than beta-carotene.
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| The Viper : The Mountain is Every other antioxidant : Astaxanthin |
Because of its strength and potency, researchers have indicated that ingesting Astaxanthin may be one of the best things you can do for your health as it...
- Scavenges free radicals (which can cause DNA-level damage to healthy cells) and eliminates them
- Offers a measure of UV protection by reducing oxidative stress caused by sunlight
- Improves cardiovascular health
It's also impossible to overdose on Astaxanthin as the human body cannot convert it into the potentially toxic vitamin A. Last little tidbit: synthetic forms are vastly inferior to the real thing.
Fewer studies have been performed with respect to cosmetic benefits from topical application of astaxanthin, but one set of studies found that there were significant improvements in wrinkle reduction, age spots, skin elasticity and texture, and even moisture retention from applying astaxanthin (and ingesting some too).
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| These masks made me say Accio Astaxanthin! The masks themselves are terrible, but the results were great. |
Astaxanthin has recently become sort of trendy in skincare. There was a little buzz a few months ago on some skincare forums about Asian Astaxanthin products, and recently Biotherm launched their Liquid Glow with our friend Asta-X featured front and center. This coupled with the heavenly (I mean heavenly, like angels were singing) results I got from these freebie Astaxanthin sheet masks I received made me splash out for the Sidmool Secret of Red Astaxanthin Concentrate.
Sidmool Secret of Red Astaxanthin Concentrate | Full Size 30ml
WHAT IT IS It's in a class of its own as Sidmool have decided to call it a 'concentrate', which is not really a separate class of skincare products when it comes to Korean beauty. What I would liken this to is an essence oil, with the balance tipped to the oil side of the scale. This product contains 98.7% Astaxanthin, which hopefully you're acquainted with after the little blurb above.
HOW TO USE I use this after cleansing and actives in the mornings, after my vitamin C serum. I chose to use it in the morning as Astaxanthin and retinoids counteract one another when interacting under UV exposure.
I would however sometimes use this at night as a last step occlusive to seal moisture into the skin. I felt it was far enough removed from the retin-A (goes on first in my nighttime skincare routine), and there is no UV exposure risk around the time I do my nighttime routine.
I would however sometimes use this at night as a last step occlusive to seal moisture into the skin. I felt it was far enough removed from the retin-A (goes on first in my nighttime skincare routine), and there is no UV exposure risk around the time I do my nighttime routine.
INGREDIENTS Astaxanthin (98.7%), Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Extract, Eugenia Caryophyllus (Clove) Flower Extract, Sophora Angustifolia Root Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Cellulose Gum
As you can see most of this product is pure astaxanthin. The solvents are the highly moisturizing butylene glycol (acne trigger - 1) and glycerin.
Although this product is pretty much all natural, I was disappointed to see that the extracts that were chosen were ones that are potentially phototoxic like the grapefruit as well as potentially irritating like the eucalyptus and clove extracts. But these substances are likely to be present in very small amounts.
I bought mine during a Buy One Get One Free sale (also commonly known as a 1+1 sale, if you're browsing Korean storefronts). I'm pretty much all finished with one bottle, the second is going to someone else for a second opinion because I had a really hard time concluding anything about this product.
It's orange, and it feels like an oil going on. In case you're wondering it does NOT turn you into an oompa loompa. It takes a few minutes to absorb into the skin.
PERFORMANCE All I can say is that when this stuff arrived at my door step, I was cracking my knuckles and all "It's on like Donkey Kong freckles and sun spots" and "Sayonara, hint of color on my hands and neck I've been getting from being outside."
But if you've been following this blog, you already know that the mystery of the glow I was getting from the products in my "Love at First Swipe" haul was sadly, not from the Sidmool Astaxanthin, but rather from my Miguhara Hyalucollagen Moisturizer Aqua-Ctrl. It had a slight white cast, but fab Fall moisturizer if you're looking for one.
So now I'm unsure whether or not this product did anything for me. I didn't notice anything. I mean, it may be a case where I need to slow my roll. After all, a month is not really that long of a test period.
It may have helped in a way that is undetectable to the eye. I won't be repurchasing this product, as I'm planning to check out the Chica y Chico Asta-Z next since it has a lotion texture that should be great for my dry skin.
But I'm a bit perplexed trying to give this product a final rating... I find that all I can say is that my results were...
I'm going to give it another round with the Chica y Chico. I then plan to start taking the supplements... will definitely report back on it!
WHERE TO BUY
Unique4U ($15.49) <- they give lots of great free samples
Have you tried Astaxanthin in skincare yet? Are you using the supplements? What were your results?
Disclosure: Bought it. Some affiliate links. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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