Frequently Asked Questions

Astaxanthin is the red pigment produced by a freshwater microalgae called Haematococcus pluvialis. The algae makes it to survive intense sunlight and drought, and it is the same compound that gives salmon and flamingos their colour.

It is one of the most studied antioxidants in nature. Antioxidants help protect cells from oxidative stress.†

Each softgel contains 12mg of astaxanthin. One a day.

Dose is the part most brands are quiet about. Plenty of products list astaxanthin on the label at 2mg or 4mg, which is enough to print the word but well below what most published research has used. We picked 12mg so the dose matches the research rather than the marketing.

From Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae. It is not krill-derived and not shellfish-derived, so it carries no shellfish allergen risk.

Astaxanthin, a carrier oil to help absorption, and the softgel shell. No added colours, no flavourings, no fillers you have to look up.

The full ingredient list is on the product page and on the pouch.

Every batch is tested for astaxanthin potency and for heavy metals before it ships. Potency testing confirms the pouch actually contains 12mg per softgel, which is the whole argument for buying this one. Heavy metals testing matters because astaxanthin is grown in water.

One softgel a day, with a meal that contains some fat. Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, so taken on an empty stomach much less of it is absorbed. Any meal with oil, eggs, nuts, dairy or avocado in it is plenty.

Whichever meal you never skip. There is no advantage to morning over evening. Consistency matters far more than timing, so pick the meal you always eat and attach it to that.

Astaxanthin takes roughly three to five days to reach a steady level in your blood, and the published studies on it generally run four weeks or longer.

So judge it over weeks, not days. That is the reason our guarantee runs 60 days rather than 30. A 30-day window would expire around the point you could first tell.

Nothing dramatic happens. Take the next one as normal and carry on. Don't double up to catch up.

Generally yes. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid, and if you already take a multivitamin or another carotenoid supplement, check the labels so you are not stacking the same thing without meaning to.

If you take prescription medication, see the medication question below.‡

Most people have none. Two harmless things do happen:

Orange or reddish stool is possible. That is pigment passing through. And at high carotenoid intake over a long period, a slight orange or tan tint to the skin is possible. Neither is harmful.

Mild stomach upset happens to some people, usually when it is taken without food. Stop and speak to a doctor if you have any reaction that concerns you.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist first.‡ This matters more than the usual boilerplate for a few specific cases:

There is a published case report of astaxanthin being associated with an increased effect of warfarin. If you take any blood thinner, any blood pressure medication, any diabetes medication, or anything processed by the liver, ask before starting.

If you are scheduled for surgery, stop two weeks beforehand, as with most supplements.

No. There is not enough safety data, so we say don't. Same for anyone under 18. Our Disclaimer sets this out in full.

Astaxanthin has a long history of use as a dietary supplement and a good safety record at everyday doses. That said, we are not your doctor and we don't know your history. If you plan to take anything daily for years, that is worth a conversation with a healthcare provider who does.‡

Within the United States only, including Alaska, Hawaii and US territories. We do not ship internationally at this time.

8 to 11 business days from order to doorstep for most of the United States. Alaska, Hawaii and US territories take longer.

Full details are in our Shipping Policy.

You get a tracking link by email as soon as your order is dispatched.

That number can take 24 to 48 hours to show its first scan, so "label created" for a day or two is normal and does not mean anything is wrong. If there is no scan at all after 5 business days, email us.

Your first order is $24. Every order after that is $29, charged every 28 days, with free shipping. No minimum, no contract, no cancellation fee.

You get an email before every charge, and your next charge date is always visible in your account.

From your account, any time. Sign in with the email you used at checkout, open Subscriptions, and cancel, skip, pause or change your delivery date yourself.

Cancel at least 2 business days before your next billing date and that charge won't happen. There is no form, no phone call, and nobody will ask you why.

Manage your subscription →

Email us within 60 days of your first order and we refund you in full. You keep the pouch. There is nothing to send back and you don't need to give a reason.

Cancelling your subscription does not void the guarantee. The two are separate. Full terms in our Refund Policy.