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Carotenoid / Antioxidant

Astaxanthin · Astaxanthin

The 'sunscreen from within' with real skin, eye, and endurance data.

B
Evidence grade
Human RCTs, biomarker outcomes

Short answer

Solid antioxidant with skin/eye evidence. Choose Haematococcus-derived (natural) at 4 to 12 mg/day.

Product and dose overview

Astaxanthin (Astaxanthin) is a carotenoid / antioxidant with evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. We track 7 products containing Astaxanthin. Typical doses range from 3 to 12 mg per serving. The top-ranked product scores 8.0 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $270.00 per month.

Evidence grade: B Products in database: 7 Category: Carotenoid / Antioxidant

Top Astaxanthin products

ProductBrandDosePrice/mo3rd-party testedScore
Astaxanthin SupplementDouble Wood Supplements12 mg$25.95Yes8.0
VisionElysium Health6 mg$40.00No6.8
Collagen ActivatorAvea Life4 mg$92.00No6.5
Daily Ultimate LongevityIM86 mg$149.00Yes6.3
Advanced IDID Formulas6 mg$270.00No6.1

Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. See how we score.

What it is

The red pigment in salmon, shrimp, and flamingos. It's a very potent antioxidant that concentrates in skin, eyes, and muscle mitochondria.

Why people take it

Modest but real effects on skin UV damage, eye fatigue, and exercise endurance at 4 to 12 mg/day.

Our verdict

Solid antioxidant with skin/eye evidence. Choose Haematococcus-derived (natural) at 4 to 12 mg/day.

Structure & class

3,3'-dihydroxy-β,β-carotene-4,4'-dione. Xanthophyll carotenoid.

Mechanism & clinical data

Tominaga 2012 showed 6 mg/day improved skin moisture and elasticity. Meta-analysis for endurance shows small but consistent effect.

Pharmacokinetics

~15 hours.

Dose & forms

Trial dose
8 mg
/ day
Range in trials
4 to 12 mg
/ day
Common forms
Softgel with oil, AstaReal® branded, Cyanotech BioAstin®

What to watch out for

Synthetic astaxanthin (from petrochemicals) is not the same stereoisomer as natural. Insist on Haematococcus source.

Safety limits and interactions

When a product exceeds the UL or contains an ingredient with clinically significant interactions, a "Review advised" flag appears on its product page and links here.

Tolerable upper intake level (UL)
8 mg/day
Safety note
EFSA has authorized astaxanthin-rich ingredients in food supplements up to 8 mg/day (based on an Acceptable Daily Intake of 0.2 mg/kg bw/day), which is considered safe for adults; earlier animal studies found liver-related effects (hepatocellular hypertrophy) at high chronic doses.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7448075/

Where this dose comes from

The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.

When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.

Regulatory status

EUFood supplement (max 8 mg/day per EFSA)
USDietary supplement
UKFood supplement
CANHP

Timeline

Regulatory events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Astaxanthin, most recent first. Studies link to the paper; regulatory entries name and link the responsible authority.

  • 2025-04 Regulatory single source
    EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claims
    A Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in April 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
  • 2024-06 Regulatory confirmed
    EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risks
    The HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
    Source →
  • 2012 Research milestone
    Tominaga et al. 2012
    6 to 12 mg/day improved crow's-feet wrinkles and skin elasticity in 8 weeks.
    Source →
  • 2006-12 Regulatory confirmed
    EU Health Claims Regulation adopted
    Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
    Source →
  • 1997 Regulatory confirmed
    EU introduces the Novel Food Regulation
    Regulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
    Source →
2026 evidence refresh

Astaxanthin reduces markers of protein oxidative damage across small human trials, but the largest 2024 memory trial mixed it with vitamin E and grape extract, so astaxanthin's standalone cognitive effect is still unproven.

Verified 2026-06-18. We update this section as new peer-reviewed trials land.

Human RCT base
7
peer-reviewed randomised trials
Largest single trial
n = 188
A 2025 meta-analysis of 7 RCTs found astaxanthin significantly reduced advanced oxidation protein products, a marker of protein oxidative damage, but found no significant change in lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, or inflammatory markers like IL-6. source

Best-supported claim

Astaxanthin's most consistent human finding is a reduction in oxidative protein damage. A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis pooling 7 RCTs and 188 participants found astaxanthin at 4-28 mg/day significantly lowered advanced oxidation protein products, with a large effect size (SMD -1.06), though other oxidative and inflammatory markers did not significantly change (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710469/). In a 2024 12-week trial in 40-to-70-year-olds with memory complaints, a supplement combining astaxanthin, vitamin E, and grape juice extract improved episodic memory and raised plasma BDNF versus placebo, but the multi-ingredient design means astaxanthin's individual contribution is unclear (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892705/).

Not supported by the evidence base

Astaxanthin is sold as a proven 'super antioxidant' for skin, eyes, brain, and athletic performance, but a 2024 meta-analysis of RCTs on fatigue, motor function, and cognition did not report clear, consistent benefits across these domains, and detailed effect sizes were not made public in the abstract (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38243785/). The single-ingredient cognitive case is weaker than marketing implies: the most cited human cognition trial tested astaxanthin only as part of a three-ingredient blend with vitamin E and grape extract, so claims that astaxanthin alone reverses memory decline outrun the actual trial design (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38892705/).

Typical dose

4-12 mg/day, with some studies using up to 28 mg/day for short durations

Safety

Astaxanthin has shown no significant adverse events across RCTs at doses up to 28 mg/day for as long as 12 weeks (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41710469/). It can cause a harmless reddish skin tint at high doses due to its carotenoid pigment, similar to other carotenoids like beta-carotene. People on blood-thinning medication should use caution since astaxanthin has mild antiplatelet activity in laboratory studies, though this has not caused bleeding events in human RCTs to date. Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals lack sufficient safety data and should consult a physician.

Interactions worth flagging

  • Theoretical additive effect with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs due to mild antiplatelet activity
  • May lower blood pressure slightly, relevant for people on antihypertensive medication

Three recent studies to know

  • Effects of astaxanthin supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
    3 Biotech 2025 · n = 188

    Pooled analysis of 7 RCTs found astaxanthin significantly reduced protein oxidation markers (AOPP) but not lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, or IL-6.

    Read study →
  • An Examination into the Effects of a Nutraceutical Supplement on Cognition, Stress, Eye Health, and Skin Satisfaction in Adults with Self-Reported Cognitive Complaints: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
    Nutrients 2024 · n = n/a

    A 12-week vitamin E, astaxanthin, and grape juice extract blend improved episodic memory and raised plasma BDNF versus placebo in adults with subjective memory complaints.

    Read study →
  • Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Fatigue, Motor Function and Cognition: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
    Biological Research For Nursing 2024 · n = n/a

    Meta-analysis of RCTs examined astaxanthin's effects on fatigue, motor function, and cognition without establishing a clear, consistent benefit across all three domains.

    Read study →

Landmark studies

Found in these products (7)

All products in our catalog that contain Astaxanthin, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.

Double Wood Supplements
Astaxanthin Supplement
Antioxidant
Active per serving
Astaxanthin 12 mgSoftgel · 60 servings
Price per serving
$0.43$25.95 · 60 servings
Testing
3rd-party listed · public lab certificate

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 8.0/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$0.29
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with doublewoodsupplements.com
Elysium Health
Vision
Antioxidant
Active per serving
Astaxanthin 6 mgSoftgel · 30 servings
Price per serving
$1.33$40.00 · 30 servings
Testing
None listed

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 6.8/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$1.78
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with www.elysiumhealth.com
Avea Life
Collagen Activator
Connective tissue
Ingredients listed
4 ingredients listedlargest listed: Glycine 5 g
Price per serving
$3.07$92.00 · 30 servings
Testing
None listed

Multi-ingredient bundle

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 6.5/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$1.84
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with avea-life.com
Longevity stack
Ingredients listed
9 ingredients listedlargest listed: Glycine 3,000 mg
Price per serving
$4.97$149.00 · 30 servings
Testing
3rd-party listed · no public lab certificate

Multi-ingredient bundle

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 6.3/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$4.97
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with im8health.com
ID Formulas
Advanced ID
Longevity stack
Ingredients listed
10 ingredients listedlargest listed: Collagen Peptides 5 g
Price per serving
$9.00$270.00 · 30 servings
Testing
None listed

EPA/DHA split not stored

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 6.1/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$18.00
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with www.idformulas.com
Tru Niagen (ChromaDex)
Tru Niagen Beauty
Connective tissue
Ingredients listed
4 ingredients listedlargest listed: Hyaluronic Acid 120 mg
Price per serving
$2.07$62.00 · 30 servings
Testing
None listed

Multi-ingredient bundle

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 5.9/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$6.20
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with www.truniagen.com
NOVOS Labs
NOVOS Bar
Multi/greens
Ingredients listed
3 ingredients listedlargest listed: Taurine 1,500 mg
Price per serving
$4.00$48.00 · 12 servings
Testing
None listed

Multi-ingredient bundle

Status as recorded in the catalog from brand materials; not independently verified by NO1GEVITY.

Score & research context 4.8/10

Editorial score, not proof that this product works. Research-dose calculations are not dosing advice.

100%
of trial dose
$8.00
per research-dose day, not label serving
0Trial dose2×
Catalog price · Confirm current price with novoslabs.com
Editorial guides

Buying guides and comparisons

Neighbouring molecules

Related ingredients

See all in Carotenoid / Antioxidant →

Molecules in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Astaxanthin in our catalogue.

GlycineBstacked together in 2 productsTaurineDstacked together in 2 productsResveratrolCstacked together in 2 productsQuercetinBstacked together in 2 productsCa-AKGDstacked together in 1 productVitamin CAstacked together in 1 productNMNBstacked together in 1 productFisetinCstacked together in 1 product
Product shelves
See all in Antioxidant (2)See all in Connective tissue (2)See all in Longevity stack (2)See all in Multi/greens (1)

See Astaxanthin in context: the mechanism it acts through, the biomarker it moves, the products that dose it, and the trials that tested it.

View Astaxanthin on the Longevity Map →

Frequently asked questions

What is Astaxanthin?

The red pigment in salmon, shrimp, and flamingos. It's a very potent antioxidant that concentrates in skin, eyes, and muscle mitochondria.

What dose of Astaxanthin should I take?

The trial dose in published human studies is 8 mg per day, with a range of 4 to 12 mg per day. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.

Is Astaxanthin safe?

EFSA has authorized astaxanthin-rich ingredients in food supplements up to 8 mg/day (based on an Acceptable Daily Intake of 0.2 mg/kg bw/day), which is considered safe for adults; earlier animal studies found liver-related effects (hepatocellular hypertrophy) at high chronic doses.

What is the best Astaxanthin supplement?

We track 7 products containing Astaxanthin. The top-ranked product scores 8.0 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.

What is the evidence grade for Astaxanthin?

Astaxanthin has evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.

Independently checked

Data verification

Evidence grade
B
Human RCTs, biomarker outcomes
Research dose
8 mg
Products tracked
7
Updated continuously
Safety signal
EFSA has authorized astaxanthin-rich ingredients in food ...

Evidence grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new products are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.