Astaxanthin
Also known as: ASX, AST, astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis
Randomised trials and meta-analyses show that oral astaxanthin (commonly 3–6 mg/day) can improve skin moisture and elasticity and increase resistance to UV-induced skin changes versus placebo; evidence for wrinkle reduction is inconsistent. Small clinical trials report reductions in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and improved assisted reproduction outcomes in women with endometriosis, but sample sizes are modest.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-14 · 5 indexed studies
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Overview
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring xanthophyll carotenoid produced by microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis and sold as an oral supplement. Human clinical trials and systematic reviews most consistently report effects on skin parameters and photoprotection, and small trials have examined effects on inflammation and oxidative stress in specific clinical populations.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
Astaxanthin is a lipophilic antioxidant that can quench reactive oxygen species and reduce oxidative stress-mediated lipid peroxidation and inflammatory signalling. These actions are hypothesised to underlie observed improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and protection from UV-induced damage.
Physiological Role
Provides exogenous antioxidant activity in tissues; may modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production in serum and local fluids such as follicular fluid.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
Direct evidence for athletic performance or exercise-related outcomes is limited. Relevant human data are principally for skin health and for reducing biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in specific clinical settings.
Evidence Review
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Approximately 3 mg/day (based on doses commonly used in trials)
- Optimal Range
- 3–6 mg/day (many clinical studies used 4–6 mg/day)
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not established (no consensus tolerable upper intake level in authoritative bodies)
- Timing
- Taken with a meal containing fat to aid absorption
- Best Format
- Oil capsule or softgel
- Bioavailability
- As a lipophilic carotenoid, astaxanthin absorption is enhanced when taken with dietary fat or formulated in oil-based preparations.
- Absorption Considerations
- Concurrent fat-containing food or oil-based formulations increase uptake; formulations differ in bioavailability between sources and carriers.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •No serious adverse events reported in the referenced trials
- •Occasional mild gastrointestinal symptoms reported in some studies (generalised in literature)
Contraindications
- None explicitly stated in the provided human trials
Drug Interactions
- •Potential interactions with other antioxidant therapies or medications metabolised via common pathways are theoretically possible but not demonstrated in the provided abstracts
Who Should Avoid
- •Persons with known hypersensitivity to astaxanthin preparations
- •Caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited data
Monitoring
No specific monitoring required in short-term trials; consider clinical supervision in pregnancy or when combined with prescription medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Astaxanthin typically used or indicated?
Astaxanthin is most commonly used for: Skin health and photoprotection, General antioxidant support, Support for inflammatory conditions (investigational), Adjunct in reproductive health research settings. Provides exogenous antioxidant activity in tissues; may modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine production in serum and local fluids such as follicular fluid.
How does Astaxanthin work?
Astaxanthin is a lipophilic antioxidant that can quench reactive oxygen species and reduce oxidative stress-mediated lipid peroxidation and inflammatory signalling. These actions are hypothesised to underlie observed improvements in skin hydration, elasticity and protection from UV-induced damage.
What is the recommended dose of Astaxanthin?
The optimal range is 3–6 mg/day (many clinical studies used 4–6 mg/day). with a minimum effective dose of Approximately 3 mg/day (based on doses commonly used in trials). Best taken: Taken with a meal containing fat to aid absorption. Upper / caution level: Not established (no consensus tolerable upper intake level in authoritative bodies).
What are the side effects of Astaxanthin?
Reported side effects include: No serious adverse events reported in the referenced trials; and Occasional mild gastrointestinal symptoms reported in some studies (generalised in literature). Monitoring: No specific monitoring required in short-term trials; consider clinical supervision in pregnancy or when combined with prescription medications.
Does Astaxanthin interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Potential interactions with other antioxidant therapies or medications metabolised via common pathways are theoretically possible but not demonstrated in the provided abstracts. Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is generally not recommended for: Persons with known hypersensitivity to astaxanthin preparations; Caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited data; and None explicitly stated in the provided human trials.
How strong is the evidence for Astaxanthin?
Evidence level: Moderate (overall score 72/100), based on 5 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (5)
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing.
Meta-analysis of 11 studies including nine randomised controlled human trials examined astaxanthin effects on skin ageing. Oral astaxanthin significantly improved skin moisture and elasticity versus placebo but did not show a significant reduction in wrinkle depth.
Oral Supplements and Photoprotection: A Systematic Review.
Systematic review of dietary supplements for photoprotection included studies of carotenoids and other compounds; carotenoid-based supplements including astaxanthin comprise part of the evidence for enhanced photoprotection though overall evidence is limited by small trials and short durations.
Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies.
Systematic review of clinical studies on astaxanthin and skin health identified eleven clinical studies, including randomised, placebo-controlled trials that reported improvements in skin texture, appearance and moisture at doses of roughly 3–6 mg/day; studies were often small and had potential conflicts of interest.
The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 23 healthy Japanese participants given 4 mg/day astaxanthin for 9–10 weeks assessed UV-induced skin deterioration. Astaxanthin increased minimal erythema dose and reduced loss of skin moisture in irradiated areas versus placebo, with improvements in subjective skin measures.
Astaxanthin ameliorates inflammation, oxidative stress, and reproductive outcomes in endometriosis patients undergoing assisted reproduction: A randomized, triple-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 50 women with endometriosis undergoing assisted reproduction evaluated 6 mg/day astaxanthin for 12 weeks. Astaxanthin increased antioxidant markers (TAC, SOD), reduced MDA and lowered serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α; ART outcomes (oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, high-quality embryos) were reported as improved versus placebo.
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Research Overview
Moderate EvidenceCite this ingredient
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Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/astaxanthin
SuppIndex. (2026). Astaxanthin: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/astaxanthin
Based on 5 indexed studies · Evidence level: Moderate.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Commonly combined with other lipophilic nutraceuticals; ensure total carotenoid/antioxidant load is clinically appropriate.