For your skin
A powerful pink antioxidant from algae. Defends against UV and environmental damage.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Carotenoid antioxidant from algae that quenches singlet oxygen far more efficiently than vitamin E.
Why we tier this moderate
5 cited papers across 4 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.
Cited research
Zhou X et al., Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing, Nutrients 2021;13(9):2917 — meta-analysis: oral astaxanthin improves skin moisture and elasticity; wrinkle data inconclusive
Baswan SM et al. Role of ingestible carotenoids in skin protection: A review of clinical evidence. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2021;37(6):430-443. doi:10.1111/phpp.12690 — Review of ingestible carotenoids for UV-induced skin protection; covers astaxanthin with evidence from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials examining its protective role against UV-induced skin deterioration.
Ito N et al., The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People — A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Nutrients 2018;10(7):817 — 4 mg/day oral astaxanthin protected against UV-induced skin deterioration
Tominaga K et al., Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration, Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition 2017;61(1):33-39 — 16-week RCT (n=65 women): 6-12 mg/day astaxanthin maintained skin moisture and prevented age-related wrinkle worsening vs placebo
Yoon HS et al., Supplementing with dietary astaxanthin combined with collagen hydrolysate improves facial elasticity and decreases matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -12 expression: a comparative study with placebo, Journal of Medicinal Food 2014;17(7):810-816 — combination supplement improved facial elasticity and reduced MMP-1/-12
Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.