Astaxanthin — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile
INCI: ASTAXANTHIN
Key Facts
- CAS Number
- 472-61-7
- Category
- antioxidant
- Risk Level
- low
- Common Allergen
- No
- Found In
- serum, moisturizer
Is Astaxanthin safe in cosmetics?
Astaxanthin is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in serum, moisturizer.
What is Astaxanthin?
Carotenoid antioxidant 6000x more potent than vitamin C. Derived from microalgae.
Allergy & Safety Information
Astaxanthin is considered safe for cosmetic use at typical concentrations.
This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.
About Antioxidant Ingredients
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals generated by UV radiation, pollution, and metabolic processes, preventing oxidative damage to skin cells and the product formula itself. Common cosmetic antioxidants include tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), BHT, and plant-derived polyphenols.
Relevance for Astaxanthin: Most antioxidants are well-tolerated, but some — particularly propyl gallate, BHA (butylhydroxyanisole), and certain plant-derived polyphenols — are recognised contact allergens. Vitamin E (tocopherol) allergy, while uncommon, is occasionally identified in patch testing.
How to Identify Astaxanthin in Products
Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Astaxanthin, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.
Product types to prioritise checking: Serum, Moisturizer. These product categories are the most common sources of Astaxanthin exposure based on formulation data.
Not sure if your products contain Astaxanthin? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Astaxanthin and other allergens automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Astaxanthin safe for sensitive skin?
Astaxanthin is generally well-tolerated, even by sensitive skin.
What products contain Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is commonly found in serum, moisturizer.
What does Astaxanthin do in cosmetics?
Astaxanthin functions as a antioxidant in formulations.
Related Guides
Is Astaxanthin causing YOUR skin reactions?
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