Table of contents
1. Introduction
Astaxanthin is a red carotenoid that occurs naturally, mainly in aquatic animals and microalgae. As I explained in my post on its benefits, it’s a potent antioxidant that may improve various aspects of our health.
Interestingly, when taken as a supplement, Astaxanthin appears to reduce UV damage and so it may boost photoprotection from sunscreen.
So, Astaxanthin may be particularly beneficial if you spend a lot of time in the sun, especially when the UV Index is high. Even more so if you apply as much sunscreen as Gwyneth Paltrow.
You won’t find Astaxanthin in large concentrations in cosmetics. Its intense red colour leaves a very unflattering red cast on the skin that’s guaranteed to make you the centre of attention. Not in a good way, unless you’re a flamingo.
Flamingos are pink mainly because of Astaxanthin and the more vibrant the colour of a male flamingo, the more popular it is with the ladies. However, I suspect that this is not the case with humans.
So, it’s a positive thing that you can see some benefits on your skin by taking Astaxanthin orally.
Please don’t assume that Astaxanthin is a miracle cure that will turn you into Dorian Gray. It’s not a replacement for sunscreen, good skincare and a healthy diet. But, there’s very good evidence that it’s a great enhancement to all of the above.
If you buy from one of my affiliate links, you won’t incur any additional charges and I will just earn a very small commission that will help this blog to keep going.
2. Lake Avenue Nutrition, Astaxanthin, 10 mg, 120 softgels
This is the Astaxanthin supplement I’m currently taking. I’ve been on a budget since the end of the last ice age and so I’m always on the lookout for affordable supplements and skincare products. Priced around 22 euros for 120 capsules, this is the most affordable Astaxanthin supplement that I’m aware of, at least from a brand that I trust.
It’s often on a discount of 10-20% too: I’ve actually never paid more than 16 euros for it.
A big bonus is that this is suitable for vegans: the softgels are veggie because they are not made of gelatin.
As I mentioned in Chapter 14 in my post on Astaxanthin (yes, that was a long post!) I apply a very tiny amount on my face straight from the softgel. This is safe, since the only other ingredient inside the softgel is Sunflower oil. I mainly started doing this to enhance the photoprotection of my sunscreen, but I was actually surprised at the soothing effect it had on my facial skin that’s prone to redness and irritation. Check the post for more details.
The downside? It’s often out of stock. Given the low price, I’m not surprised.
3. Now Foods, Astaxanthin, 10 mg, 60 softgels
This supplement by Now Foods is more expensive than the one by Lake Avenue Nutrition, but it’s still very affordable and it is usually in stock. It contains the same amount of Astaxanthin: 10 mg per softgel.
10 mg is a relatively high dose but you’re unlikely to experience side-effects. Dosages as high as 40 mg have been found well tolerated. In a trial, the participants took either 6 or 12 mg of Astaxanthin daily and they had various blood tests that didn’t indicate any issues.
If you suffer from an inflammatory disease or you spend a lot of time in the sun, this is a good dosage to experiment with.
Buy from iHerb (Now Foods, 10 mg)
Now Foods Astaxanthin for vegans
Now Foods also has a supplement with 60 softgels and 4 mg Astaxanthin per softgel. Good news if you’re a vegan: the capsules in this one are veggie.
Buy from Herb (Now Foods, 4 mg, vegan friendly option)
4. Natural Factors, Astaxanthin Plus, 4 mg, 60 Softgels
Astaxanthin for human consumption is typically extracted from a microalga called Haematococcus Pluvialis. An interesting fact is that Astaxanthin from Haematococcus Pluvialis contains small amounts of other Carotenoids that contribute to its beneficial effects. (Beta-Carotene, Canthaxanthin, Lutein and Zeaxanthin).
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are naturally present in the human retina and they are very popular in supplements for eye health.
However, it’s almost impossible to know if your Astaxanthin supplement contains enough Lutein and Zeaxanthin to see a difference. To literally see a difference.
This supplement may make your life easier: it contains Astaxanthin with the addition of 1 mg Lutein and 170 mcg Zeaxanthin. This could be a great combo for overall eye health and for prevention of macular degeneration.
Astaxanthin alone has been found very beneficial for eye health. And it’s considered more potent than Lutein and Zeaxanthin. But the combination with Lutein and Zeaxanthin in this supplement may provide even better antioxidant support for your eyes and your overall health.
The only cons is that I don’t like the packaging label. First-world problems.
5. Sport Research, Astaxanthin with Coconut Oil, 6 mg, 120 softgels
This is another affordable supplement with 6 mg of Astaxanthin per softgel. 6 mg is a good dose for photoprotection and overall protection from oxidative stress.
Studies have shown that 4 mg of Astaxanthin may increase the Minimal Erythema Dose. Simply put, Astaxanthin may increase the amount of time you can spend in the sun without getting sunburnt. So, Astaxanthin may be a great sunscreen booster. NOT a replacement!
4-6 mg of Astaxanthin offers significant protection against oxidative stress and may prevent wrinkles from becoming deeper.
There is some evidence that Astaxanthin may have a positive effect on exercise performance and recovery, which is probably why a company called “Sports Reseach” sells this supplement. The evidence on that is promising but more research is needed.
Please bear in mind that Astaxanthin is not a replacement for sunscreen. I keep repeating this, because I’ve heard bloggers in the past mentioning that they take Astaxanthin instead of using sunscreen. Use them together!
There’s also another option from Sports Research with 60 softgels, each with 12 mg of Astaxanthin. I’ve included links to both.
Buy from iHerb (Sport Research, 6 mg, 120 softgels)
Buy from iHerb (Sport Research, 12 mg, 60 softgels)
Sports Research Astaxanthin for vegans
Luckily, Sports Research also offers an Astaxanthin supplement with veggie softgels. It has 60 softgels, each containing 12 mg of Astaxanthin.
Buy from iHerb (Sports Research, 12 mg, vegan friendly option)
6. The Ordinary Mineral Filters SPF 30
This is my favourite facial sunscreen. It’s incredibly affordable, which means that I apply it very generously without second thought. At this price point, you probably won’t find any other mineral sunscreen with such a great assortment of beneficial ingredients.
Plus, it’s very gentle and I can apply it in the lower and upper eyelid area with no problems.
Mineral Filters SPF 30 contains Astaxanthin, as well as other beneficial ingredients, such as Ethyl Ferulate, a derivative of Ferulic Acid. Ethyl Ferulate has anti-inflammatory and photoprotective properties.
This feels quite lightweight, thanks to the silicones it contains. I’m personally a fan of silicones and I think that they are way less problematic than some people think. However, if your skin doesn’t agree with silicones, this sunscreen isn’t suitable for you.
Some people find that it leaves a noticeable white cast on their faces. Personally, if I tap it gently on my face for 2-3 minutes, the white cast almost goes away. But this will probably not work for darker skin tones, unfortunately. The darker your skin colour, the more obvious the white cast will be.
However, if you’re in an experimental mood, you can try the trick I described in Chapter 14 in my post on Astaxanthin.
7. Niod Survival 0
Survival 0 is one of the best antioxidant products on the market. Considering its excellent formula, it’s very affordable too. It contains Astaxanthin, as well as the antioxidants Lutein, Pycnogenol, Superoxide Dismutase and Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol. All these antioxidants may enhance the photoprotective properties of your sunscreen and protect your skin from oxidative stress.
And it doesn’t stop there: it contains a couple of interesting algae extracts, hydrating amino acids and prebiotics.
Survival 0 has a beige-orange colour because of the antioxidants it contains, but the colour disappears when you apply on the skin.
No need for a separate eye serum. You can use this in the eye area too. It’s very lightweight and it layers very well with sunscreen.
Lookfantastic doesn’t always have it in stock, but I’ve put an affiliate link below anyway. BeautyBay usually does have it in stock.
8. Buying from iHerb
Herb ships from the US. So, unless you live in the US, I suggest you keep the cost of your order to a minimum to avoid those dreaded customs charges! Unless you choose shipping with a courier that includes these charges.
9. References
Nazaré AC, de Faria CM, Chiari BG, et al. Ethyl ferulate, a component with anti-inflammatory properties for emulsion-based creams. Molecules. 2014;19(6):8124-8139. Published 2014 Jun 17.
Marini A, Grether-Beck S, Jaenicke T, et al. Pycnogenol® effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012;25(2):86-92.
Juturu V, Bowman JP, Deshpande J. Overall skin tone and skin-lightening-improving effects with oral supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2016;9:325-332. Published 2016 Oct 7.
Rosa AC, Corsi D, Cavi N, Bruni N, Dosio F. Superoxide Dismutase Administration: A Review of Proposed Human Uses. Molecules. 2021;26(7):1844. Published 2021 Mar 25.
Yuan JP, Peng J, Yin K, Wang JH. Potential health-promoting effects of astaxanthin: a high-value carotenoid mostly from microalgae. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011;55(1):150-165.
Kidd P. Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential. Altern Med Rev. 2011;16(4):355-364
Capelli, B., Bagchi, D. & Cysewski, G.R. Synthetic astaxanthin is significantly inferior to algal-based astaxanthin as an antioxidant and may not be suitable as a human nutraceutical supplement. Nutrafoods 12, 145–152 (2013).
Davinelli S, Nielsen ME, Scapagnini G. Astaxanthin in Skin Health, Repair, and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2018;10(4):522. Published 2018 Apr 22. 2
Buscemi S, Corleo D, Di Pace F, Petroni ML, Satriano A, Marchesini G. The Effect of Lutein on Eye and Extra-Eye Health. Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1321. Published 2018 Sep 18.
Giannaccare G, Pellegrini M, Senni C, Bernabei F, Scorcia V, Cicero AFG. Clinical Applications of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Ocular Diseases: Emerging Insights. Mar Drugs. 2020;18(5):239. Published 2020 May 1.
Brown DR, Gough LA, Deb SK, Sparks SA, McNaughton LR. Astaxanthin in Exercise Metabolism, Performance and Recovery: A Review. Front Nutr. 2018;4:76. Published 2018 Jan 18.
Ito N, Seki S, Ueda F. 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.
Guerin M, Huntley ME, Olaizola M. Haematococcus astaxanthin: applications for human health and nutrition. Trends Biotechnol. 2003;21(5):210-216.
Catanzaro E, Bishayee A, Fimognari C. On a Beam of Light: Photoprotective Activities of the Marine Carotenoids Astaxanthin and Fucoxanthin in Suppression of Inflammation and Cancer. Mar Drugs. 2020;18(11):544. Published 2020 Oct 30.
Chalyk NE, Klochkov VA, Bandaletova TY, Kyle NH, Petyaev IM. Continuous astaxanthin intake reduces oxidative stress and reverses age-related morphological changes of residual skin surface components in middle-aged volunteers. Nutr Res. 2017;48:40-4
Tominaga K, Hongo N, Fujishita M, Takahashi Y, Adachi Y. Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2017;61(1):33-39.
Tominaga K, Hongo N, Karato M, Yamashita E. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochim Pol. 2012;59(1):43-47.
Spiller GA, Dewell A. Safety of an astaxanthin-rich Haematococcus pluvialis algal extract: a randomized clinical trial. J Med Food. 2003;6(1):51-56.
Catanzaro E, Bishayee A, Fimognari C. On a Beam of Light: Photoprotective Activities of the Marine Carotenoids Astaxanthin and Fucoxanthin in Suppression of Inflammation and Cancer. Mar Drugs. 2020;18(11):544. Published 2020 Oct 30.
What’s your experience with supplements and skincare with Astaxanthin? Leave a comment below!
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