Living in the California desert, you'd think I'd be out in the sunshine constantly.
And, well...I could be. But I've gotten to the age where I have a very different relationship with the sun than I did when I was younger. I still love sunshine. I love being outside. I love the desert. I love that beautiful golden California light.
But when it comes to my skin? I'm trying to preserve what I've got.
I'm not interested in spending hours baking in the sun anymore. I've become much more conscious about sun exposure, especially because I care about healthy aging and keeping my skin looking as good as possible for as long as possible.
There's just one little problem. I still like looking sun-kissed.
I don't necessarily want that deep, over-the-top tan I used to chase. I just like having a little color and looking healthy rather than feeling like I've been living in a cave. That's actually part of what originally attracted me to astaxanthin. And after trying several different astaxanthin supplements, I've settled on one that I continue to buy and take myself:
Xaarty Premium Astaxanthin 12 mg.
This isn't one of those products I discovered yesterday and decided to write about because it happens to be trending on Amazon.
I've tried different astaxanthin supplements. I've compared formulas. I've read labels. And after all of that experimenting, Xaarty is the brand I've become loyal to. Here's why.
What Exactly Is Astaxanthin?
If you've noticed astaxanthin suddenly showing up everywhere, you're not imagining it.
The supplement has become increasingly popular, and Amazon now has an overwhelming number of options. Different doses. Different oils. Different ingredients. Different brands. And plenty of very enthusiastic marketing.
So when I started looking into it, I decided I wasn't going to choose based on whichever bottle had the biggest number on the front. I wanted to know what was actually inside the capsule.
Astaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid and antioxidant. One of the most important natural sources used in supplements is the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis. And that is one of the things I love about Xaarty.
The microalgae source matters to me.
Xaarty uses natural Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae as its source of astaxanthin. That's a big deal for me because when I'm buying supplements, I want to know where the active ingredient comes from. I'm not interested in simply seeing "12 mg Astaxanthin" printed on a bottle. I want to know the story behind that ingredient. And Xaarty makes the microalgae source part of its product identity. That's something I appreciate.
Why I Don't Chase the Highest Dose
Here's something I've learned after trying different astaxanthin supplements: The highest number on the bottle doesn't automatically mean the best product for you.
There are plenty of high-dose astaxanthin supplements on Amazon. But I don't shop for supplements that way. Xaarty provides 12 mg of astaxanthin per softgel, and that's the amount I've settled on. For me, it feels like a meaningful dose without getting caught up in the "more is better" mentality.
I also appreciate the simplicity.
One softgel a day gives me my daily serving, and the bottle contains 120 softgels. That's approximately four months of supplementation when taken as directed. I like that. Less fuss. Less juggling. And something I can actually stick with.
The Oil-Based Formula Is Another Detail I Like
This is one of those things that isn't nearly as exciting as the giant words on the front of a supplement bottle, but it matters to me.
Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, so I pay attention to how an astaxanthin supplement is formulated and what I'm taking it with. Xaarty's formula uses coconut oil in its softgel. That's something I specifically look for when I'm comparing products. I'm not saying coconut oil makes Xaarty magically superior to every other astaxanthin supplement. There are other good formulations out there. But I like the idea of pairing a fat-soluble carotenoid with an oil-based delivery system, and it's one of the details that helped make Xaarty appealing to me.
Why I Started Taking It for My Skin
My primary interest in astaxanthin was skin health and healthy aging.
As a woman getting older, I'm increasingly interested in the things I can do to support my skin from the inside out.
I'm looking at things like:
Skin moisture
Elasticity
Fine lines
Overall skin appearance
Environmental stress
Oxidative stress
Healthy aging
And living in the California desert makes this particularly interesting. The desert is beautiful, but the environment can be tough on skin. Dry air. Heat. Wind. And then there's that very bright California sunshine.
I've become much more intentional about limiting unnecessary sun exposure because I want to protect my skin. I use sun protection. I seek shade. I don't intentionally spend hours lying in the sun anymore. But… I still like a little color.
And this is where something interesting happened.
The Subtle Sun-Kissed Look
I didn't take astaxanthin expecting it to make me tan. That's not why I bought it.
But after consistently taking it for several weeks, I started noticing that my skin seemed to have a subtle, warmer tone. For me, it became noticeable after roughly 4–6 weeks. It wasn't dramatic. I didn't suddenly look like I'd spent a month in the Caribbean. It was more like… "Huh. I look a little sun-kissed." And I actually liked it.
Living in the desert, I get plenty of gorgeous sunshine without wanting to deliberately expose my face to all of it. So if I can enjoy that slightly warmer, healthier-looking appearance while still being intentional about sun exposure, I'm perfectly happy with that. I'm not calling it a tanning supplement.
I'm not saying it replaces actual sun exposure. And I'm certainly not saying you should skip sunscreen. It's simply something I've personally noticed while taking astaxanthin consistently.
Then Came the Real Surprise: My Trip to a Very Sunny Climate
This is probably the part of my astaxanthin experience that got my attention the most.
I traveled somewhere very hot and very sunny—much more intense sun exposure than my skin had experienced in years. I'd been living a relatively low-sun lifestyle for about five years. And historically? I burned. I knew my skin. I knew what happened when I suddenly exposed it to intense sun.
So I was genuinely surprised when I returned from this trip without getting the sunburn I would have expected. I had spent time in intense sunshine and didn't burn. And yes, I had that subtle sun-kissed color I enjoy. Was I surprised? Absolutely.
Did it make me even more interested in astaxanthin? You bet.
Now, I want to be very clear about something because I'm not going to turn my personal experience into a medical claim. Astaxanthin is not sunscreen. I don't consider it an SPF. I don't recommend skipping sunscreen because you're taking astaxanthin. My experience is simply that my skin seemed to tolerate that unusually intense sun exposure much better than I expected. And given that I historically burned in that kind of climate, I found that really interesting.
That's enough for me to continue taking it.
My Eyes Were Another Unexpected Benefit
Another reason Xaarty has stayed in my routine is my eyes. I've personally felt that my eyes benefit from taking astaxanthin. That's not actually surprising when you look at why astaxanthin has attracted attention in the first place.
Astaxanthin is being studied for its antioxidant properties, including research involving eye health and oxidative stress. For me, it's difficult to separate every single variable in my life and say, "This one capsule definitely caused this specific result."
I'm not going to pretend otherwise.
But I can tell you that I like how I feel while taking it, and my eyes are another area where I've noticed a positive difference. That's one of the reasons I continue to take it consistently.
And Then There's My Back
This was another unexpected benefit. I originally started astaxanthin because I was interested in skin health and healthy aging. But over time, I also noticed what I personally experienced as a reduction in inflammation. And for me, that matters. I've dealt with significant lower-back problems, so anything that helps me feel less inflamed and more comfortable gets my attention.
I have personally found that taking astaxanthin has helped reduce some of the inflammation I experience in my back, which in turn has helped relieve some of my lower-back discomfort.
That's my experience. I'm not saying Xaarty treats back problems. I'm not saying astaxanthin replaces medical treatment. I'm saying that I noticed a difference in my own body, and that is one of the reasons this supplement has become part of my routine.
Why I'm Loyal to Xaarty
This is where I think supplement shopping gets interesting. Once you've found something that you genuinely like, you don't necessarily want to keep jumping from brand to brand. I've tried other astaxanthin supplements. Some were fine. But Xaarty became the one I kept coming back to. There are several things I particularly like: Natural Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae
This is probably my favorite feature of the formula. I specifically like knowing that the astaxanthin comes from natural microalgae. I like the straightforward 12 mg serving. I'm not trying to win the "who takes the most astaxanthin" contest. Because astaxanthin is fat-soluble, I like seeing an oil-based formulation.
This is another detail that matters to me. Xaarty Premium Astaxanthin is made in the USA. When I'm choosing supplements, I like knowing where the product is manufactured, and this is one of the reasons Xaarty stands out to me.
The 120-softgel bottle is another practical advantage. One softgel per day gives me approximately four months of supplementation. That's convenient, especially for something I intend to take consistently.
I'm Three Months In—and I'm Still Watching
Here's where I want to be completely honest. I've been taking Xaarty for approximately three months. I've noticed the subtle change in my skin tone. I've had my surprising experience with intense sun exposure. I've noticed benefits with my eyes. And I've personally found that it helps with some of the inflammation and discomfort in my lower back. But have I suddenly developed flawless, wrinkle-free skin? No. Not even close. And I'm okay with that.
I'm interested in moisture, elasticity and fine lines, but I haven't noticed a dramatic difference in those areas yet. I'm still giving it time.
Some skin-support supplements and nutritional interventions are evaluated over several months rather than several weeks, so I'm not ready to write them off simply because I haven't looked in the mirror and seen a completely different face after three months. Honestly, that's one of the things I like about taking a long-term approach to healthy aging.
I'm not looking for a miracle. I'm looking for small things that might help. And then I give them time.
What I Look for When Buying Astaxanthin
If you're standing on Amazon staring at 40 different bottles of astaxanthin, here's what I'd pay attention to.
1. Look at the source. I specifically look for natural Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae.
2. Don't automatically choose the highest dose. More isn't automatically better. Look at the entire formula and choose a dose that makes sense for your routine.
3. Look at the delivery system. Astaxanthin is fat-soluble, so I personally prefer an oil-based formulation.
4. Look at where it's made. For me, Xaarty being made in the USA is a definite plus.
5. Look at the brand—not just the front of the bottle. Read the label. Look at the ingredients. Look at the manufacturer's information. Don't let a flashy Amazon headline make the decision for you.
6. And finally...look at your own experience. This is the biggest one. Everyone's body is different. What I notice may not be what you notice. And that's okay.
So, Would I Recommend Xaarty?
Yes. And I say that as someone who actually uses it. I'm not claiming it's the only good astaxanthin on Amazon. I'm not claiming it's a miracle supplement. I'm not saying it will give everyone the same results I've experienced. I'm saying this is the astaxanthin I personally choose and continue to buy.
That's really what healthy aging looks like to me. Not perfection. Not chasing every new wellness trend. Not trying to turn back the clock. Just finding little ways to take better care of myself while still enjoying life. And if I can protect my skin, support my overall wellness, keep a little California-desert glow and avoid looking like a ghost? I'm in.
The Xaarty Astaxanthin I Actually Take
If you want to check out the exact one I've been taking, you can find it here:
Shop Xaarty Premium Astaxanthin on Amazon
And remember—I'm sharing this because it's something I actually use and like, not because I think everyone needs to take the same supplement I do.
Grateful Kitty Wellness Disclaimer
I am not a doctor or other healthcare professional. This article reflects my personal experience, opinions and research and is not medical advice. Individual results can vary. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Astaxanthin should not be considered a replacement for sunscreen, medical treatment or a healthy lifestyle. Talk with your healthcare professional before starting a new supplement, particularly if you have a medical condition, take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have questions about whether a supplement is appropriate for you.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through one of my links, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only share products that I personally use, research or genuinely believe are worth discussing.
Xaarty Premium Astaxanthin 12mg, Antioxidant Supplement for Eye, Joint, Skin Health,Microalgae Source, 4 Month Supply | Supports Internal Circulation, 120 Softgels https://amzn.to/47nEu09
Xaarty 2Pack Premium Astaxanthin 12mg, Antioxidant Supplement for Eye, Joint, Skin Health,Microalgae Source, 8 Month Supply | Supports Internal Circulation, 240 Softgels https://amzn.to/4hEaoum
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