#1

Enjoyed this episode of Huberman interviewing Dr. Teo, a well-respected dermatologist. It’s a two-hour-long podcast; the most valuable information came from the second half. Some key points:

  • Retinoid is the most effective tool for collagen growth (none of the cosmetic retinols are useful).

  • He uses SunPowder for skin protection (he helped to develop it, but the key ingredient, Polypodium Leucotomos, is available on Amazon: Amazon.com

  • Eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo are all, at their core, immune system dysfunctions. And UV is not all evil.

  • Red light works (the higher quality of the panels, not the face masks).

I have long suffered from eczema, and later psoriasis, and now have a few hints of vitiligo (a few white spots). Not until I convinced my dermatologist to let me try rapamycin did I get my skin condition under control. Subjectively, I think my skin is better after two years of rapamycin, not just the flare-ups but generally more supple with fewer wrinkles and spots. I’m thinking for the first time about Botox for my 11 lines!

Share your hacks and cases here!

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#2

Astaxanthin is probably the one supplement that helped me the most with protecting my skin from sunburns. Recently been on vacation (UV 11) and didn’t even get a tan. But to be fair I was also religiously using SPF50.

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#3

How are you dosing it? How long have you been on it?

#4

Been on it for 3 years now and I take about 24mg daily. Would take more if I could afford it.

#5

What brand are you using?

#6

BioAstin or NatAxthin

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#7

Listening! Can you tell me what you think it’s particularly useful for in addition to providing protection from the sun? (I wear spf 50 each day, so not worried about doing more in that one area)

@Jonas
I’ve been using tretinoin for years 2-4x per week. I use a low dose body retinol lotion 1-4x per week. That might not be enough to do anything, but I’m cautious about using THAT much vit A on such a large surface because my derm warned me about doing so. Curious why this derm doesn’t think retinols don’t work (i haven’t listened to that podcast). I say that because I am under the impression they have been studied. I’ve always heard they work but just more slowly?

The only other thing I do is using Elevai serum with exosomes. I have no idea if it’s doing anything and it’s crazy expensive, but it took the place of separate products for me, which then just makes it very expensive (I now don’t use a peptide serum or vit C because this contains those ingredients )

I am curious about red light but haven’t wanted to spend the money or commit to the time.

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#8

There is some research showing it improves dry eyes and other occular conditions.
Clinical Applications of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Ocular Diseases: Emerging Insights - PMC (nih.gov)
Recent Advances and the Mechanism of Astaxanthin in Ophthalmological Diseases - PMC (nih.gov)
Frontiers | Benefits and Safety of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Mild-To-Moderate Dry Eye Disease (frontiersin.org)

Furthermore, astaxanthin is an NRF2 activator and has shown promise in the ITP in extending the median lifespan in male mice.
Nrf2 a molecular therapeutic target for Astaxanthin - ScienceDirect
Astaxanthin and meclizine extend lifespan in UM-HET3 male mice; fisetin, SG1002 (hydrogen sulfide donor), dimethyl fumarate, mycophenolic acid, and 4-phenylbutyrate do not significantly affect lifespan in either sex at the doses and schedules used - PubMed (nih.gov)

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#9

Thank you for this!!! I have extremely Sahara dessert level dry eyes!!! SOLD!! I’ll look into trying this now, thx again for sharing!

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#10

From personal experience it can take some months to start feeling that effect but it’ll gradually get better.

#11

Thanks! I see BioAstin has a vegan gummy with some vit d i might try. NatAxthin Didn’t come up on my google search?

#12

NatAxtin: Natural Astaxanthin from Chile | Powerful Human Antioxidant

It’s a bit cheaper than BioAstin.

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#13

I think I posted this elsewhere on this site, but I want to make sure you see this so I’m posting it again. Twenty-some years ago I had a dry eye problem for about a year. One of my eyes was usually worse than the other one. I had a painful scratchy sensation when I would open or close my eyes, especially when I first woke up in the morning. My optometrist suggested that I use some goopy product which helped a little temporarily. Somewhere I read something that convinced me to ingest a tablespoon of flax oil per day. After the first day, I didn’t have the scratchy sensation for about two weeks. Then I had it for one day, but it didn’t come back. I stopped the flax oil pretty soon after that, but haven’t had dry eyes since except for very rare occasions. I took Barlean’s flax oil in an opaque black plastic bottle. I have no clue whether it would work for anyone else.

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#14

Thank you for making sure I read this. What a harmless thing to try, I’ll do it!

I hope you keep having relief!

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#15

You’re welcome. If you’re going to try flax oil, I would have it with a meal. Flax oil is reputed to have a laxative effect! I didn’t notice that, but others might.

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