Astaxanthin for Wrinkle Reduction
Astaxanthin shows small skin improvements in modest-quality trials.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 4-12mg/day with fat
- Expected timeframe
- 8-16 weeks
Protocol
- context
- Topical retinoids and daily SPF have far stronger evidence for wrinkles than any oral supplement
- studied dose
- 4-12 mg/day with dietary fat over 8-16 weeks, often combined with topical astaxanthin
- evidence note
- Verdict is insufficient - small trials with modest effects
- what happened
- Elasticity improved and wrinkle depth fell slightly, but sample sizes were small, effects modest, and the results have not been independently replicated outside sponsor-linked studies
- if you still trial it
- 6-12 mg/day with your largest fat-containing meal for 16 weeks, with standardised photographs
Evidence
What the studies say
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Astaxanthin on Human Skin Ageing
Zhou X, Cao Q, Orfila C +2 more
Oral ASX supplementation significantly restored moisture content and improved elasticity but did not significantly decrease wrinkle depth compared to placebo
Safety
Caveats
Small trials. No comparison against retinoids.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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