Summer Ready Skin with Astaxanthin

Bright and warm summer days are always something to look forward to, especially after a long, dark winter. But is your skin ready for the season? Spending more time outdoors means greater exposure to UV radiation, which can take a toll on your skin. UV light, pollution, and stress can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The resulting oxidative damage can accelerate skin ageing, worsen skin pigmentation, and contribute to wrinkling, dryness, and roughness (Chen et al., 2021; Nair et al., 2023). Keeping your skin protected this summer should be a priority, and one powerful way to do this is with astaxanthin (Chen et al., 2021).

Astaxanthin: The king of carotenoids

With its distinct, brilliant red colour, astaxanthin is recognised as one of nature’s most potent antioxidants and is often referred to as the “king of carotenoids” (Bharti et al., 2025; Nair et al., 2023). Astaxanthin belongs to the xanthophyll carotenoid family and can be naturally found in fish, green algae Haematococcus pluvialis, and red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma (Bharti et al., 2025). Research indicates that, in terms of antioxidant activity, astaxanthin is 65 times more powerful than vitamin C, 54 times stronger than beta-carotene, 10 times more potent than zeaxanthin and lutein, and 100 times more effective than alpha-tocopherol (Shah et al., 2016). In addition, the antioxidant properties of natural astaxanthin are up to 50 times greater than synthetic versions, commonly produced from petrochemical products (Nair et al., 2023).

Astaxanthin for antioxidant support

Astaxanthin’s impactful skin benefits stem from its ability to inhibit collagenases, matrix metalloproteinase activity, inflammatory mediators, and ROS production (Davinelli et al., 2018; Dutta et al., 2023). These actions help preserve collagen and elastin, reduce oxidative stress, and protect against UV-induced damage (Dutta et al., 2023). Studies show that oral intake, absorption, and tissue accumulation of astaxanthin safeguard the skin from ageing and environmental stressors (Nair et al., 2023).

In one 16-week placebo-controlled study, the anti-inflammatory effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration were studied (Tominaga et al., 2017). Women who were supplemented with either 6 mg or 12 mg of astaxanthin daily maintained a consistent skin condition throughout the study. In contrast, women who took a placebo had signs of skin deterioration, such as increased skin wrinkle depth and reduced moisture content. Furthermore, a review of 11 studies found that astaxanthin may effectively reduce skin ageing and improve skin hydration and elasticity (Zhou et al., 2021).

Boost your astaxanthin intake

Astaxanthin is naturally found in fish such as salmon, trout, shrimp, and lobster, making these important dietary sources for a natural boost. In fact, the vibrant red colour of many marine species comes from their consumption of astaxanthin. Additionally, astaxanthin supplements, sourced from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis, provide another naturally rich source of this powerful antioxidant. Astaxanthin dosing typically ranges from 6 to 12 mg daily, with 40 mg as the maximum dose (Health Canada, 2025).

In today’s modern world, constant exposure to stress, pollutants, and UV light increases oxidative stress, an underlying cause of ageing and other health concerns. Adding astaxanthin to your daily routine can help reduce cell damage caused by free radicals so you can embrace the best of summer.

References:
Bharti, A., Hooda, V., Jain, U., et al. (2025). Astaxanthin: A nature’s versatile compound utilized for diverse applications and its therapeutic effects. 3 Biotech, 15(4), 88.
Chen, J., Liu, Y., Zhao, Z., et al. (2021). Oxidative stress in the skin: Impact and related protection. Int J Cosmet Sci, 43(5), 495-509.
Davinelli, S., Nielsen, M.E., & Scapagnini, G. (2018). Astaxanthin in skin health, repair, and disease: A comprehensive review. Nutrients, 10(4), 522.
Dutta, A., Jeevan Kumar, S.P., Banerjee, R. (2023). A comprehensive review on astaxanthin sources, structure, biochemistry and applications in the cosmetic industry. Algal Res, 74, 103168.
Health Canada. (2025). Natural Health Product – Antioxidants. Available from: https://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/mono_antioxidants_english.pdf
Nair, A., Ahirwar, A., Singh, S., et al. (2023). Astaxanthin as a king of ketocarotenoids: Structure, synthesis, accumulation, bioavailability and antioxidant properties. Mar Drugs, 21(3), 176.
Shah, M.M., Liang, Y., Cheng, J.J., et al. (2016). Astaxanthin-producing green microalga haematococcus pluvialis: From single cell to high value commercial products. Front Plant Sci, 7, 531.
Tominaga, K., Hongo, N., Fujishita, M., et al. (2017). Protective effects of astaxanthin on skin deterioration. J Clin Biochem Nutr, 61(1), 33-9.
Zhou, X., Cao, Q., Orfila, C., et al. (2021). Systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of astaxanthin on human skin ageing. Nutrients, 13(9), 2917.

About the Author: Natural Factors

Natural Factors is a Canadian family-owned business operating for more than 50 years, providing a wide range of products exclusively to the health food industry. Factors Farms, located south of Armstrong, BC, is a certified-organic farmland that gives Natural Factors complete control over securing the best quality raw materials possible.