The company’s natural astaxanthin ingredient, AstaPure, has been incorporated into a new range manufactured by Perrigo subsidiary Careline, for distribution in retail chains across the US.
Astaxanthin, which is derived from algae, has powerful antioxidant properties and can help protect against UV damage, according to the company.
Although the ingredient does not have an SPF factor (it is not a UV filter) it can protect against the damage caused by UV radiation on skin cell DNA, explained AlgaTechnologies marketing manager Effrat Kat.
Therefore, in the Careline’s sun care range, SkinGard, other UV filters have been incorporated to provide SPF 15 and SPF 30 protection.
According to Careline, SkinGard is an easily absorbable clear spray that blocks 99.8 per cent of UV sun exposure.
Careline’s Biogenic face care line incorporates Algatechnolonies’ AstaPure ingredient along with a red algae complex to help prevent and reduce facial lines and wrinkles.
For AlgaTechnologies, the relationship with Careline is an important part of the company’s expansion into international markets.
Japan leads the way
Although the company does sell to Europe and the US, Japan is at present the biggest overseas market for cosmetic applications of the ingredient, Kat explained.
“We can’t say for sure, but we think that Japan is more accepting of algae-sourced ingredients, as it is closer to the standard diet,” she said.
The company is also looking to target the growing beauty from within trend.
“This is a very interesting market for us and we are seeing more and more products hit the market,” said Kat.
It is also particularly good for ingredients that cannot be formulated into topical products, she continued.
Many of the carotenoid ingredients have strong pigments and can stain either the formulation or the skin. Incorporating them into a supplement that would complement the topical formulation would get over this problem, she said.