Okay, this is what I’m SO EXCITED to share today – Astaxanthin supplements! I learnt about it last October when a reader by the nick of Destiny mentioned the beauty benefits of this supplement in one of her comments. In fact, she has been taking it regularly together with her husband and she noticed their eyesight actually improved within weeks! Since reading her comment, I began to research materials on this and once I’ve established that this supplement can provide sun protection, I immediately latched on to a spree at iHerb and ordered two brands (Healthy Origins and BioAstin), which I later discovered, were also recommended by Destiny.
Inspired by the positive customer reviews
Yes, I’m just overwhelmingly passionate about anything that can protect my skin from the sun! I was so amazed when I read the customer reviews of these supplements and was even more inspired when I learned that some of them managed to stay out under the sun for long periods of time just taking Astaxanthin, and not getting burned even without using a sunscreen! And some customers even mentioned that their pigmentation were subsiding after taking this supplement. So how can I pass this on??? All right, there are plenty of research materials out there about Astaxanthin so I’m not going to bore you by putting them here. I’ll just make some quick introductions and point you to those relevant resources.
A super antioxidant
Astaxanthin is a derivative of the microalgae Haematoccous pluvialis – the part that gives salmon and flamingos that eat the algae their orange or pink coloring. It is produced when the algae’s water supply dries up, forcing it to protect itself from lack of nutrition and/or intense sunlight. Now, what’s interesting to know is that a growing body of scientific literature and epidermal analysis determined that the quantity of Astaxanthin was 133 times that of lycopene and 28 times that of beta-carotene! So there are plenty of benefits to be derived from taking Astaxanthin but I’ll just touch on the benefits to our skin here.
Works as an internal sunscreen
Initial animal studies in Japan had discovered that by ingesting Astaxanthin, mice could stay under UV radiation longer without getting burned or experiencing deleterious damage to their skin. The Journal of Dermatological Science published a study in 2002 finding Astaxanthin is able to protect against alterations in human DNA induced by UVA light exposure. And Cyanotech, the company that produces BioAstin from microalgae, tested it on human volunteers and found that taking 4 mg per day for just two weeks statistically increased the amount of time the subjects could stay in the sun without getting burned.
Powerful quencher of inflammation
Many users of Astaxanthin supplements reported that they are able to spend significantly more time out in the sun without burning than they were able to before. This is due to the powerful anti-inflammatory properties that Astaxanthin has. Hence, this also means that as an antioxidant, Astaxanthin scavenges the free radicals in the skin surface which ultimately helps reduce moisture loss and keeps skin smooth. So this supplement can effectively help to reverse external signs of aging from the inside out. But do note that taking this as a suppplement will not eliminate the risk of sunburn in everyone, but it can radically reduce your risk of developing severe sunburn and related skin damage. Plus, it will take some weeks for the dose to build up to achieve UV protection, and to help improve your skin’s overall moisture balance and elasticity.
For more information about the health and beauty benefits of taking Astaxanthin, read these articles:
- Sunscreen & wrinkle prevention in a pill
- King of carotenoids
My personal experience taking Astaxanthin
I’ve completed my first bottle of Astaxanthin supplement consisting of 150 capsules, each containing 4mg. I have to say I wasn’t too impressed initially because I did not see much of a difference to my skin. However, I did notice a change in my energy level and my joints for the better. I also did an experiment using my hubby as the guinea pig, by making him take this prior to his outdoor exercises. I noticed that while he returned tanned, but there were no visible signs of sunburn. So I suppose it does provide some levels of protection and I persisted with the supplement myself, taking two capsules daily.
Double up with topical application of Astaxanthin
And after around two months now, I noticed my skin is looking better. I still have my pigmented spots but I noticed some of them are lightened although I have to qualify that I’m not sure if this can be completely attributed to Astaxanthin as I’m also using topical products. But I’m pretty happy to continue taking this supplement because one, it gives me peace of mind when I’m out under the sun, and two, it’s cheap! A bottle cost me something like S$30? That’s like half the price of Heliocare! Anyway, I’m just so thrilled by all the research materials on Astaxanthin that I’ve even gone on to order topical products containing the ingredient! Heheh! So yes, read all about my experience using Astaxanthin topically – coming right up real soon.
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Where did you purchase your Astaxanthin?
From iHerb.com. I think it’s also available at Vitacost and other sites.
That’s great! Will get myself a bottle to try when I next order from Vitacost or iHerb
The Healthy Origins one is cheaper but it has a fishy smell (pretty similar to fish oil). The BioAstin one has no scent and is slightly more expensive.
I’m going to get this
Haha…hope you’ll find it useful.
Interesting!! i’m s0 g0nna get this..yea i’m a SUCKER f0r anything that will pr0tect me against the UV rays..hehehe
Same here!
quite interesting! thank you for sharing! I’m going to buy one!
Hope it’ll work well for you.
I will share my review / opinion with you about it. Can’t wait!
Ok great! Looking forward!
I tried to consume astaxanthin everyday but it made me get lots of acne on my chin. So I stop consume this. Maybe I should take it twice a week
Oh…that’s a pity but I breakout taking flaxseed oil and recently fish oil too so probably this might not work for certain people for similar reasons. How much do you take each time?
Hmmm, I’ll probably get this once my pycnogenol supps run out. Have too much supplements I can put up a mini drugstore, lol.
But I love iherb!
I took Pycnogencol many years ago and didn’t notice any difference but I suppose the effects are less telling when one is younger.
If I order online, are they able to deliver to singapore? Will there be any problems clearing customs? Thanks!
Yes, they ship to Singapore. I know they accept credit cards and I don’t suppose there are any problems since many of the sprees went through well. However, I haven’t ordered personally from iHerb to know of any possible complications.
I’ve seen BioAstin available for sale in Singapore (online) but it cost more.
Well, if you were ordering just 1 to 2 bottles of health food, stick to a spree. If ordering direct, try to avoid International Airmail ‘cos I’ve had a package lost before. Getting Iherb to refund you could be a hassle though it went well for me.
Here is my experience of over a year spent taking this supplement:
as I use a topical sunscreen – physical rather than chemical – I do not know about the sunblocking properties. I do not notice any improvement in vision. I can speak to the relief it gives from joint pain. My husband has shoulder pains, I do as well, and my knees bother me to varying degrees. We recently ran out for one week, and noticed how much this does relieve joint pain. We stocked up again, and pay anywhere from $23 to $29 US for 120 capsules.
I’m also waiting to see if it helps with my vision but I haven’t noticed a change. I guess it depends on individual but I read some many positive testimonies on that front I’m rather hopeful.
The price range you mentioned is about what I pay – converts to around $30 in our local currency.
Hi Sesame, awesome info! Are you able to tell me if you can still get tanned if taking this supplement?
Thanks!
Yes, still get tanned. As mentioned, I got my husband to experiment taking this prior to his outdoor exercise and he emerged tanned but not burned. No sunscreen was used but he took 3, which is 12mg. However, I think he wasn’t consuming this supplement daily so the effects were less desirable than what I’ve expected. Based on the studies, you got to take continually for 2 weeks before the UV resistance sets in.
Thanks for the info! I just placed my order though iHerb. When do you take these? Mornings or nights? Can’t wait for my order to be delivered!
It is recommended you take 4mg to 12mg per day so I opted for 8mg, which means I take two capsules. I was taking one in the morning and one in the evening but now, I just take two in the morning after breakfast since I want it more for sun protection.
Dr. Perricone also recommends astaxanthin to reduce hyperpigmentation.
I also agree that joint pain relief is a major reason why I take astaxanthin!
It’s helping your joints too? I’m hoping to have my visions improved like yours.
Yes, joints and also sleep! If you get a chance, go to youtube and search
Suzy Cohen+Astaxanthin. She is a pharmacist who is a big fan of astaxanthin. She says it helps any condition with “itis” on the end…arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, etc.
All right! Will check it out soon…I’m really thrilled to have found Astaxanthin…thanks to you!
Hmm, sounds like a good way to replace Heliocare.
Yes, cheaper! But one thing I found is the Heliocare’s protection seems to be more immediate and you can take one or two prior to exposure to the sun…no need to build up.
I had scored out all pharmacies near by when I read about Astaxanthin almost 2 years back!!! I couldn’t find. Should check out again especially if it improves eye sight.
I don’t see it at pharmacies here either…the closest is probably krill oil. I think it’s only available in Hawaii/US and unless a distributor brings in to a country.
Thanks so much for this post. So interesting, I will order some today!! And I thought I would just share with you a great website that I use to buy my vitamins from. I live in Switzerland and here I do not find that many and new vitamins and what there is is so expensive. This website called vitacost.com from US has everything you can think of, many excellent brands, good prices, and what is great for me they ship internationally and the shiping cost is really low. And they have several types of Astaxanthin.
Oh yes, Vitacost is one that comes highly recommended and I believe their pricing is better than iHerb. The only reason I don’t purchase from that site is because all the sprees I tag do the shopping at iHerb.
Hi Sesame, which spree do you use for iherb? I am also thinking of sourcing some astaxanthin from iherb, but a bit scared to buy direct without PayPal. Can you share the spree that you always get your iherb from? Thank you..and oh..happy chinese new year!
Happy new year to you! Actually I spree with various. I will send you an email about the organizers.
I just bought a bottle of Astaxanthin here in Singapore – Vitakids at United Sq. S$40 for 60 softgels.
How much mg does it contain per capsule – 4 or 8?