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
8 cited papers across 3 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
Chung BY et al., Astaxanthin Protects Ultraviolet B-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes via Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway, Annals of Dermatology 2022;34(2):125-131 — astaxanthin significantly inhibited UVB-induced cytotoxicity and ROS in human keratinocytes
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
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
Tsukahara H et al., Effects of Intake of Astaxanthin Contained Drink on Skin Condition, Japanese Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2016;13(2):57-62 — 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled RCT (n=20 Japanese women 30-49): 3 mg/day astaxanthin significantly improved moisture, TEWL, elasticity, minimal erythema dose, and skin texture 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
Tominaga K et al., Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on human subjects, Acta Biochimica Polonica 2012;59(1):43-7 — 6 mg/day oral + topical reduced crow's-feet wrinkles, age spots; improved elasticity & moisture
Suganuma K et al., Astaxanthin attenuates the UVA-induced up-regulation of matrix-metalloproteinase-1 and skin fibroblast elastase in human dermal fibroblasts, Journal of Dermatological Science 2010;58(2):136-142 — in-vitro: 4-8 μM astaxanthin after UVA significantly attenuated MMP-1 and SFE/NEP induction in human dermal fibroblasts
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.