|
|
| There’s a reason salmon is pink, and it’s the same reason my feeds keep trying to sell me “sunscreen in a pill.” That rosy color comes from astaxanthin, an antioxidant that salmon, shrimp, and even flamingos extract from the algae they eat. It’s having a real moment in the supplement aisle right now. Some of the hype is warranted, but there’s one claim about astaxanthin that you should know about before summer truly arrives. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let’s look into it,
Tim Snaith
Newsletter Editor, Healthline
|
 |
|
Written by Tim Snaith
June 16, 2026 • 2 min read |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Q: |
Can I ditch my sunscreen for foods containing astaxanthin instead? |
|
| A: |
Astaxanthin is a red-orange pigment that microalgae make and sea life passes up the food chain. It’s what gives salmon, shrimp, and trout their pink tint. It’s a genuinely impressive antioxidant, but it is not sunscreen.
But marketing has overtaken science in this one important area. You may see astaxanthin sold as “nature’s internal sunscreen” or a “sunscreen in a pill.” It is not. It doesn’t block UV rays, so your skin still soaks up exactly the same sunlight.
A small study suggested that taking it daily may modestly increase the skin’s tolerance to UV light and support moisture. However, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sun protective clothing and/or sunscreen to reduce your risk of skin cancer. No pill or capsule can replace your sunscreen, so think of astaxanthin as a possible sidekick to your SPF, never a swap for it.
What it can do is help mop up the free radicals that drive inflammation. Its unusual structure lets it slip across cell membranes in a way many antioxidants cannot, so researchers are looking into using it for skin, heart, brain, and joint health, though most of the human evidence is still early.
|
|
|
|
| Want to learn more about food, diets, cooking, or some other nutrition subject? Let us know at nutritionedition@healthline.com and we’ll look into it for you! (Heads up, we may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.)
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| Anti-Inflammatory Mediterranean Diet Sheet Pan Salmon |
| Craving a delicious, healthy, and anti-inflammatory dinner that’s a breeze to make? Look no further! This one-pan wonder is packed with vibrant flavors and nutrient-dense ingredients to nourish your body while tantalizing your taste buds. |
|
|
|
|
|
| What we’re digesting |
| |
