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Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin (from Haematococcus pluvialis algae)

Supplements. Modern nutrition.

Also called Algae astaxanthin, Haematococcus extract, Salmon pigment

Pinyin: xiā qīng sù

Spanish: Astaxantina

Few human trials so far

A red-orange plant pigment, a carotenoid, made by algae and found in salmon and shrimp, sold mainly for skin, eye and antioxidant support.

Did you know? Haematococcus algae turn blood-red when stressed, packing astaxanthin into their cells as a shield against strong light.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Skin. A few small, short trials, many funded by supplement makers, found better skin moisture or elasticity after several weeks of daily use. Some combined capsules with creams, and wrinkle results are mixed.See the research: 15 studies in people
Promising proof
Eyes & vision. One small placebo-controlled trial in Japan (59 adults who do screen work, six weeks, 9 mg a day) found no clear overall difference in near-vision sharpness after screen work. A small group over 40 did better, but that group also started out different. The trial was funded by its maker. A combined eye formula with bilberry and lutein did better in a separate small trial, but that cannot show astaxanthin's own effect.See the research: 8 studies in people
Traditional proof
Inflammation. Lab and animal studies show strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Human proof is limited.See the research: 48 studies in people
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Skin & hair, Eyes, Immune system, Joints

Traditional use

Not part of an old herbal system. People have long eaten astaxanthin-rich salmon, shrimp and crab, but pure supplements are modern.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive. Energy: neutral.

How people take it

Studies have used about 2 to 12 milligrams a day, mostly for 4 to 16 weeks. Softgel capsules are most common, usually taken with a meal that has some fat, since astaxanthin dissolves in fat.

Capsule and food.

Where to get it

Most supplements come from Haematococcus algae grown in tanks. Some come from yeast or synthetic forms. Salmon, trout, shrimp, crab and krill contain it naturally. Softgels are sold in pharmacies, health stores and online.

Be careful

Side effects are usually mild: stomach pain, loose stools, and red-tinted stools. A clinical reference database reports severe stomach pain in two people who took 40 milligrams a day, so stay within usual doses. Allergic reactions are possible, and krill- or shrimp-derived products need a check for people with shellfish allergy. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not well studied, so keep to food amounts unless a clinician advises otherwise.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; shellfish allergy.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are carotenoids sold for eye and antioxidant support. Few studies have tested them together.

The honest take

Astaxanthin is a real antioxidant pigment, and small skin trials suggest it may help moisture, though many were funded by supplement makers. The one trial of astaxanthin alone found no clear eye benefit overall. Heart, brain and anti-aging claims are not yet proven.

Sources

Each “See the research” link opens PubMed, the U.S. National Library of Medicine's index of medical studies, showing only trials and reviews done in people. The number tells you how much a use has been tested, not whether it worked. The proof rating tells you that.

Study counts checked October 2026.