Carotenoids- Heard of Nature's Sunscreen for Skin Health?

We are living in that era today where skincare has become an essential component of one's day-to-day routine. We see memes that show one's dedication to skincare even while one's life is turning upside down. Funny but true, we are living in a generation where everyone wants to keep their skin healthy and be at their best. It is important to know the role of various ingredients that are present in our skincare products, their actions, benefits, side effects and why your skin needs them. Special emphasis has to be laid upon natural products in today's world of chemical treatments. When we have miracle-working ingredients in our backyard, why go hunting down chemical substitutes?

As much as today's skincare routines might emphasize the power of the sun for your skin health, and the role of Vitamin D in boosting your glow, it is vital to know the whole truth. While the early morning sun is good for overall well-being, stepping out in the sunlight without your sunscreen on is a big NO! The harmful UV radiationsthat are present in the rays of the sun have disastrous consequences if exposed to them for longer durations. They assist your skin to age faster and cause many degenerative changes in your skin. 

It is always advisable to contact a dermatologist to receive personalized skincare routine and guidance. Talk to our Gytree Experts in Dermatology to kick-start your skincare routine. 

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What exactly are Carotenoids? 

We might have studied about plants way back in school and the pigments that their leaves contain right? One such pigment or a dye that is present in most plants is carotenoids along with the most important pigment called Chlorophyll. Carotenoids are what give the leaves the myriad of colours we see other than just green. They are either present naturally as orange, yellow, red or shades of these colours. These pigments produce bright yellow, red, and orange colours in plants, vegetables, and fruits. Though chlorophyll decomposes early, carotenoids persist in the plant for a long time. This is why its role in preventing ageing and aiding in skin health was extracted from it. 

How do carotenoids work? 

Carotenoids are nature’s antioxidants that are present in their leaves. Antioxidants are scavengers of free radicals that are produced as by-products of various metabolic processes. These free radicals are harmful and cause many skin conditions. The presence of these free radicals is harmful to our skin and overall well-being. So to do away with these, we have our little dye molecules that kill the free radicals. These can also terminate the highly damaging free radical chain reactions that might occur.  

Role of Carotenoids in Skin Health 

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1. Prevents premature ageing- One of the prerequisites for most middle-aged women today in their skincare is an addition that helps them put away fine lines and wrinkles longer. By their action on cells called fibroblasts, they help in the production of collagen and elastin. These two proteins are very important for maintaining the elasticity, tone and texture of our skin. Carotenoids can also repair all the collagen fibres that have been damaged by UV radiation. Therefore it promotes good skin elasticity, firmness, and tightness and puts away wrinkles and crow's feet around the eyes. 

2. Skin Repair- Not only do they aid in delaying premature ageing but also help you maintain healthy skin. All the cells and proteins that have been destroyed by the harmful radiation of the sun can be repaired. This property is used in products that help restore skin glow and vitality. They also help in the regeneration of the skin epithelium and make the skin smooth, shiny and soft. 

3. Reduction of Pigmentation- Due to UV radiations we might notice excessive colour or pigmentation in certain parts of our skin. So carotenoids will help neutralize this effect by decreasing melanin and the size of the melanin-producing cells called melanocytes. 

4. Fight Acne- Due to its free radical destroying power and its antioxidant effects, these dyes can help prevent acne formation. They work in association with the lipid and sebaceous glands and decrease the production of sebum or oil. This will reduce the chances of inflammatory conditions of the skin including acne. 

How is it obtained? 

Carotenoids are a widely used supplement that is taken through dietary means for its vast benefits, especially on skin health. They are also vital for the maintenance of Vitamin A formation in our body and its effects on improving vision. They are widely available in food sources like leafy green vegetables and all the vegetables of the Cruciferae family like spinach, kale, turnip greens and Brussels sprouts. 

Gytree’s newly launched chocolate-flavoured protein powder contains this immune booster, carotenoids. This protein supplement not only takes care of your macronutrient requirement but it also contains many natural ingredients that aid in different functions. Visit the Gytree Shop to get yours now!