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Astaxanthin

What Astaxanthin is & what it does

An exceptionally strong carotenoid antioxidant (from algae) that protects skin from free-radical and UV-related stress. Its deep red color can tint formulas.

What does Astaxanthin do in skincare?

Astaxanthin is a reddish carotenoid pigment used in skincare as a potent antioxidant. It is included in formulas to help defend the skin against free radicals and environmental stress such as UV exposure. It can also give a product a natural orange-red tint.

Is Astaxanthin natural or synthetic?

Astaxanthin can be both. It occurs naturally in microalgae such as Haematococcus pluvialis and in some seafood, and it is also produced synthetically. Cosmetic-grade astaxanthin is often sourced from algae, though the exact origin depends on the supplier.

Is Astaxanthin safe?

Astaxanthin is widely used as an antioxidant and is generally regarded as safe at the levels found in cosmetics. It is a well-studied carotenoid with a long history in supplements and skincare. As with any colored botanical, very sensitive skin may benefit from a patch test.

Sunscreens with Astaxanthin

We rate 38 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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