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Cx1.5
Canthaxanthin Research
Mostly mechanism / observational
4 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Canthaxanthin studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality studies published 1990–2026 with a typical study size of 1 participants.
Based on 4 studies · 37 total participants
Confidence
Very low confidence
By outcome
Anemia & hematology
Too few graded studies1 study
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study
Steady research
1 study in the last 5 years
199020082026
1Systematic Review2026
In plain English: Sunless tanning agents offer UV-free alternatives for cosmetic pigmentation but are not without risk.
Resnick G, Khajeh-Afzaly M, Yousefian F, Raza A, Issa NT · J Clin Aesthet Dermatol (2026)
Reviewed the mechanisms, uses and adverse effects of self-tanning agents including DHA, melanotan and carotenoids
Carotenoids taken orally accumulate in skin and subcutaneous fat, creating a yellow-orange hue
Groups carotenoids as an alternative pigmentation pathway rather than an equivalent to melanin
2Observationaln=35 · small study2011
In plain English: Complete disappearance of the golden particles took approximately 20 years. The patients in our study were asymptomatic and no functional defect related to canthaxanthin could be detected.
Hueber A, Rosentreter A, Severin M · Ophthalmic Res (2011)
13 of 35 people with known canthaxanthin consumption had golden particles near the macula
5 were re-examined 16-24 years later with acuity, Amsler, perimetry, EOG, ERG, OCT and fluorescein angiography
Crystals took about 20 years to disappear completely
Aplastic anaemia with a fatal outcome in a previously healthy young woman
Canthaxanthin had been supplied to her by a commercial tanning salon
No investigation of the safety of oral canthaxanthin in humans had been conducted
4Case Studyn=1 · very small study2013
In plain English: We report a case of an 84-year-old woman with significant visual loss secondary to canthaxanthin retinopathy that ultimately improved upon cessation of the drug.
Beaulieu RA, Warwar RE, Buerk BM · Case Rep Ophthalmol Med (2013)
Retinopathy appears as birefringent yellow-to-red crystals surrounding the macula
Deposition increases with dose-dependent exposure
Patients generally remain asymptomatic, with findings visible only on funduscopy