Superior antioxidant protection
Most powerful natural antioxidant, stronger than vitamin C and E
Astaxanthin
Powerful red carotenoid antioxidant that provides superior cellular protection, skin health benefits, and eye support
Scientific name3,3'-dihydroxy-β,β'-carotene-4,4'-dione
FormulaC40H52O4
Molecular weight596.85 g/mol
CAS472-61-7
20
absorption score
9
safety / 10
50
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Astaxanthin with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin E (Gamma-Tocopherol)
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
82
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimSkin health and UV protection
Protects skin from UV damage and improves skin appearance
Eye health and vision support
Protects eyes from oxidative damage and supports visual function
Enhanced exercise performance and recovery
Reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage
Cardiovascular health support
Supports heart health and improves blood flow
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Turmeric
Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant
300-1000mg
A
3%
Collagen Peptides
Skin health & joint support
5-15g
B
85%
Bone Broth Collagen
Gut healing & collagen support
20-40g powder
B
85%
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Hair, skin & nail health
300-5000 mcg
A
80%
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Energy & skin health (no flush)
100-1000 mg
A
88%
Marine Collagen
Anti-aging & skin health
5-15g
A
95%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Astaxanthin + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Calcium Carbonate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Astaxanthin + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
Enhanced absorption and anti-inflammatory effects
Works better together
78
Astaxanthin + Lutein & Zeaxanthin
Enhanced eye protection and visual health
Works better together
78
Astaxanthin + Vitamin D3
Enhanced antioxidant protection and membrane stability
Works better together
82
Dosage
Daily4-12mg
Antioxidant support4-8mg daily
Skin health6-12mg daily
Eye support6-12mg daily
Athletic performance8-16mg daily
When to expect it
First Effects2-4 weeks for antioxidant protection and initial skin benefits
Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for sustained skin, eye, and cellular protection
Deficiency DevelopmentGradual increase in oxidative stress and cellular damage
Toxicity OnsetVery rare, mainly cosmetic skin changes
How to measure it
MarkerOxidative stress markers or serum astaxanthin levels
OptimalReduced oxidative stress and adequate astaxanthin levels
Deficient belowHigh oxidative stress markers
FrequencyEvery 6-12 months for antioxidant status monitoring
What people actually reported to the FDA
CAERS, 17 reports naming it as the suspectMost reported effects
Named as the suspect
17 reports
of 35 that mention it at all
Serious outcome
82%
hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event14
Visited a Health Care Provider6
Visited Emergency Room6
Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
Low 20 of 100 · poorly absorbed relative to other forms
Delivered daily
1.6 mg
Cost per 10 mg delivered
$10.42 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Vitamin E
Enhanced antioxidant protection and membrane stability
Both protect cell membranes through complementary mechanisms · level A
+
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Enhanced absorption and anti-inflammatory effects
Omega-3s improve astaxanthin absorption and both reduce inflammation · level B
+
Lutein Zeaxanthin
Enhanced eye protection and visual health
Complementary carotenoids for comprehensive eye protection · level BWhat not to take with Astaxanthin
!
Smoking
Smoking increases oxidative stress overwhelming antioxidant capacity
Tobacco smoke generates massive free radical load · major significance
!
Alcohol Excess
Alcohol increases oxidative stress and inflammation
Ethanol metabolism produces free radicals · moderate significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay enhance blood pressure lowering effects
What to do: Monitor blood pressure
Generally no significant drug interactions
What to do: Safe with most medications
Available forms
Natural Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis): Natural source, Superior antioxidant, Skin benefits, Eye protection
Synthetic Astaxanthin: Much cheaper, Widely available, Stable, Lower cost
Food sources
Wild salmon
Highest food source (3-5mg per serving) · 60
Shrimp and crab
Good sources (1-2mg per serving) · 55
Red trout
Moderate amounts · 60
Astaxanthin supplements
4-12mg per capsule · 50-70
Too little
- Increased oxidative stress and cellular damage
- Poor skin protection against UV damage
- Increased risk of eye damage and vision problems
- Poor exercise recovery and muscle damage
- Accelerated aging and inflammation
- Reduced cellular protection
- Increased susceptibility to environmental stressors
Too much
- Excellent safety profile:
- Harmless skin color changes with very high doses
- Mild digestive upset without fat
- Possible slight blood pressure reduction
- Generally extremely well tolerated
Who benefits most
antioxidant-cellular-protection
Most powerful antioxidant for maximum cellular protection
4-12mg daily
skin-health-uv-protection
Internal sunscreen and skin health benefits
6-12mg daily
eye-health-vision-support
Crosses blood-retinal barrier for direct eye protection
6-12mg daily
athletes-exercise-recovery
Reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage
8-16mg daily
aging-anti-aging-longevity
Superior antioxidant protection against aging
4-8mg dailyWhere to buy it
Look for Astaxanthin at 4-12mg per serving. The form that matters here is Natural Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis).
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
Smoking
Smoking increases oxidative stress overwhelming antioxidant capacity
Tobacco smoke generates massive free radical load
!
Alcohol excess
Alcohol increases oxidative stress and inflammation
Ethanol metabolism produces free radicalsHow it works
- Most powerful singlet oxygen quencher among carotenoids
- Spans cell membrane providing inside and outside protection
- Crosses blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers
- Reduces lipid peroxidation and DNA damage
- Modulates inflammatory pathways and cytokines
- Supports mitochondrial function and energy production
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Most powerful natural antioxidant with superior cellular protection
- Good evidence for skin health and UV protection benefits
- Promising for eye health and exercise recovery
- Excellent safety profile with minimal side effects
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Astaxanthin?
Documented effects: Superior antioxidant protection; Skin health and UV protection; Eye health and vision support; Enhanced exercise performance and recovery. Most powerful natural antioxidant, stronger than vitamin C and E
How much Astaxanthin should you take per day?
The common daily range is 4-12mg. By goal — antioxidant support: 4-8mg daily; skin health: 6-12mg daily; eye support: 6-12mg daily; athletic performance: 8-16mg daily.
When is the best time to take Astaxanthin?
With fat containing meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for antioxidant protection and initial skin benefits.
What are the side effects of Astaxanthin?
At excessive doses: Excellent safety profile:, Harmless skin color changes with very high doses, Mild digestive upset without fat, Possible slight blood pressure reduction, Generally extremely well tolerated. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.
What should you not take with Astaxanthin?
Separate it from Smoking, Alcohol Excess by two to four hours. Smoking increases oxidative stress overwhelming antioxidant capacity
Does Astaxanthin interact with medications?
Documented interactions with blood-pressure-medications, no-major-interactions. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Astaxanthin?
The marker is Oxidative stress markers or serum astaxanthin levels, optimal range Reduced oxidative stress and adequate astaxanthin levels. Common deficiency signs: Increased oxidative stress and cellular damage, Poor skin protection against UV damage, Increased risk of eye damage and vision problems, Poor exercise recovery and muscle damage.