The Science of Zeaxanthin in Skin Care

Zeaxanthin is an increasingly popular antioxidant ingredient with tons of untapped potential. Well studied as an additive in oral supplements, this carotenoid has a few meaningful benefits in skin care too. Find out how this ingredient works and how it compares to the competition.

Want to know the secret to healthier skin? Take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to unlock your skin type and get customized product recommendations! Your skin type results provide the foundation for choosing the best ingredients and formulations to target your specific concerns. There’s no better way to know if a product is right for your skin!

What is zeaxanthin?

Zeaxanthin is a yellow-orange carotenoid antioxidant found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are pigments produced by plants that give vegetables their bright orange and yellow hues. Over 600 carotenoids exist in nature, but only about 20 are present in human blood and tissues.

Zeaxanthin is one of the three main carotenoids found in the human eye, along with lutein and meso-zeaxanthin. (9) These compounds appear in the retina and lens, providing vivid yellow pigments that filter damaging blue light and help protect the eye from UV damage.

Zeaxanthin’s antioxidant properties allow it to neutralize free radicals and prevent oxidative stress. This helps guard the skin against premature aging caused by sun exposure, stress and environmental pollution.

How does zeaxanthin work?

When applied topically or ingested orally, zeaxanthin can provide significant antioxidant protection to human skin cells. It works in several ways:

Neutralizes free radicals: As a powerful antioxidant, zeaxanthin donates electrons to stabilize harmful free radicals before they can cause oxidative damage to skin cell membranes and DNA. (1,7)

Reduces inflammation: Zeaxanthin suppresses certain pro-inflammatory responses to sun damage. (11)

Protects from UV radiation: By absorbing UV rays, zeaxanthin shields skin from sunburn, DNA damage and general UV radiation concerns.

Keeps skin moisturized: By slowing down the deterioration (peroxidation) of fatty acids in the skin barrier, zeaxanthin helps the skin maintain moisture. (6)

Promotes collagen: Zeaxanthin stimulates fibroblasts to produce more collagen, the protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity. (3)

benefits of zeaxanthin

Benefits of zeaxanthin in skin care

Most studies conducted on zeaxanthin refer to its use in oral supplements, however more skin care research on this ingredient is being conducted all the time. Currently, research suggests that increasing zeaxanthin intake and topical application can provide the following benefits:

Reduces signs of aging: Zeaxanthin rejuvenates aged, sun-damaged skin by reducing wrinkles, pigmentation spots, and roughness.

Helps protect from skin cancer: By neutralizing UV-induced free radicals, zeaxanthin lowers the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Soothes acne and rosacea: The anti-inflammatory activity of zeaxanthin calms irritation and redness from inflammatory skin conditions.

Boosts hydration: Zeaxanthin increases moisture retention in the epidermis for visibly plumper, dewier skin.

Improves elasticity: Zeaxanthin stimulates collagen production to enhance skin’s firmness and resilience.

Evens skin tone: By fighting against photodamage and somewhat inhibiting tyrosinase, zeaxanthin can be useful in preventing and treating dark spots. (4)

Is zeaxanthin safe?

Zeaxanthin in skin care and in oral supplements is very safe. It’s non-toxic even at high doses. The only side effects reported are harmless changes in skin coloration from beta-carotene (orange hue).

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has graded zeaxanthin with a safety score of “1,” which means it is considered very safe.

If you are looking for a clean, natural anti-aging ingredient, zeaxanthin could be right for you!

zeaxanthin vs retinol

Zeaxanthin vs Retinol

How does zeaxanthin compare to the anti-aging superstar retinol?

Retinol speeds cellular turnover to reveal newer, plumper skin and stimulates collagen. But it can cause irritation, dryness and sun sensitivity in some people.

Zeaxanthin is gentler than retinol. It provides antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory benefits to soothe and calm sensitive skin.

Retinol makes skin more photosensitive, requiring diligent sunscreen use. Zeaxanthin offers natural sun protection.

For sensitive skin types prone to irritation, zeaxanthin may be better tolerated than prescription retinoids.

Zeaxanthin enhances collagen production and hydration for firmer, smoother skin like retinol but with fewer side effects.

Overall, even though these two ingredients are similar, they each serve functions the other does not, and are best used at different times of day. Zeaxanthin would make a good sunscreen ingredient while retinoids would certainly not. Using a zeaxanthin products in the morning and a retinol product at night would be the correct way to incorporate both into your routine. (1,2)

Topical vs oral zeaxanthin

While zeaxanthin is more commonly taken as a supplement, studies show benefits from both oral and topical use:

Oral zeaxanthin: Boosts overall skin antioxidant levels when consumed in the diet from foods or supplements. But only a small fraction is distributed to the skin.

Topical zeaxanthin: Applied directly to the skin’s surface in creams or serums. Provides more targeted antioxidant protection to the skin.

For maximum results, I recommend combining oral and topical zeaxanthin to enhance photoprotection internally and externally. (5) Look for zeaxanthin in skin care products formulated with other antioxidants like Vitamins C and E.

which skin types can use zeaxanthin

Which skin types should use zeaxanthin?

Zeaxanthin offers versatile anti-aging and soothing benefits suitable for all skin types. But those who may benefit most include:

Dry, dehydrated skin: Zeaxanthin helps the skin hold on to moisture by keeping the skin barrier healthy.

Sensitive, reactive skin: Zeaxanthin calms inflammation and is less irritating than retinol.

Mature skin: Zeaxanthin stimulates collagen, reduces wrinkles, tightens and brightens aging skin. (1,3)

Acne-prone skin: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help prevent breakouts.

Sun-damaged skin: Zeaxanthin protects against UV-induced pigmentation and fights skin cancers. (6)

Today, there aren’t many products with zeaxanthin in skin care because it is still going through research trials and being adopted by the industry. There are plenty of other products and great ingredients to use while the skin care world gets ready for zeaxanthin!

Supplements similar to zeaxanthin

Most supplements on the market with zeaxanthine are formulated to protect the eyes- not skin. Here are supplements that protect the skin from the sun. Most of these do not have zeaxanthine but have other carotenoids, Vitamin C, or polypodium leucotomas.

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Closing thoughts

The antioxidant zeaxanthin offers extensive skin-enhancing benefits when used topically and orally. By neutralizing free radicals, reducing inflammation, protecting from UV rays, hydrating the skin and promoting collagen synthesis, zeaxanthin reveals smoother, firmer, more youthful looking skin.

While more research is still needed, both animal and human studies report excellent efficacy and safety. Zeaxanthin appears gentler than prescription retinoids, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Unfortunately, we don’t currently carry any products with zeaxanthin, but you can still take the Baumann Skin Type Quiz to see what products are recommended for your Baumann Skin Type.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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