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Carotenoid Complex

Country Life
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(306 ratings)
Vitamin A 25000 IU
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Score82
A well-disclosed carotenoid softgel with useful lutein and lycopene coverage. Very high beta-carotene and modest zeaxanthin and astaxanthin are the key trade-offs.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 Softgel(s) • (60 servings)
Goals:
Vision Support
Skin Health

Score 82

A well-disclosed carotenoid softgel with useful lutein and lycopene coverage. Very high beta-carotene and modest zeaxanthin and astaxanthin are the key trade-offs.
How scoring works
$27.59($0.45 per serving)
iHerb
$ 27.59
Pure Formulas
$ 27.59
Vitacost
$ 27.59
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Analysis

Lutein at 5 mg, lycopene at 3 mg, and beta-carotene provide meaningful carotenoid breadth for ocular and skin antioxidant support. Zeaxanthin and astaxanthin are present but at modest amounts compared with many focused products.

The oil-based softgel suits fat-soluble carotenoids and supports practical absorption. Individual carotenoids are clearly quantified, which makes the formula easier to assess than a proprietary blend.

Beta-carotene supplies a very large vitamin A-equivalent amount and may be unnecessary for routine daily use. Broccoli extract, pumpkin seed extract, carrot seed oil, and alpha-lipoic acid broaden the formula, though the supplied data does not establish standardization for every component.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a broad carotenoid blend
  • People focused on vision and skin antioxidants
  • Users who prefer oil-based softgels
Best for
  • Carotenoid diversity
  • Lutein and lycopene supplementation
  • Vision and skin antioxidant support

Pros

  • Broad, quantified carotenoid profile
  • Oil-based softgel supports absorption
  • Meaningful lutein and lycopene amounts

Cons

  • Very high beta-carotene amount
  • Zeaxanthin and astaxanthin are modest
  • Several secondary extracts lack detailed standardization

Warnings

  • High-dose beta-carotene supplements are not a good choice for people who smoke or formerly smoked because this use has been linked with increased lung-cancer risk in those groups.

Nutrient quality

88 Highest impact

The ingredient form and serving amount provide solid nutritional support. The formula remains reasonably focused without obvious excessive dosing.

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Ingredient transparency

89 Highest impact

Active amounts and ingredient names are mostly easy to assess. A complete inactive-ingredient list and full use directions are not included in the supplied facts.

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Customer satisfaction

62 Moderate impact

The aggregate rating is positive with a moderate review base. No specific feedback is supplied to confirm recurring complaints or purpose-related experiences.

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Value for money

85 Highest impact

The formula provides moderate value for its quality and format. Most of the cost appears directed toward the core active formula.

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Report analysis

Goals

Vision Support
Vision Support
Impact
High effect
A Goal FitB- Strength of SupportB- CoverageB Formula Quality
Vitamin A · 25000 IUAstaxanthin · 1000 mcg

Lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and astaxanthin provide direct macular filtering and antioxidant support. The oil-based softgel is well suited to these fat-soluble carotenoids.

Lutein is useful but below the common ten-milligram vision target, while zeaxanthin and astaxanthin are modest and beta-carotene is unusually high. Smokers and former smokers should avoid high-dose beta-carotene because it has been linked to increased lung-cancer risk in those groups.

Study evidence
Astaxanthin Mixed 7 studies
Vitamin A Supportive 65 studies
Skin Health
Skin Health
Impact
High effect
B- Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageB+ Formula Quality
Astaxanthin · 1000 mcgLycopene · 3000 mcg

A broad carotenoid blend offers antioxidant support that may help protect skin from environmental stress. It does not provide collagen peptides, ceramides, or key hydration support.

Oil-based delivery suits carotenoid absorption, but the beta-carotene amount is unusually high for routine use. Smokers and former smokers should avoid high-dose beta-carotene supplements because trials have found increased lung-cancer risk in these groups.

Study evidence
Astaxanthin Supportive 12 studies
Lycopene Supportive 20 studies
Vitamin A Supportive 106 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene)
 25000 IU
Broccoli extract (Sulforaphane)
 50 mg
Pumpkin seed extract
25 mg
Carrot Seed Oil
10 mg
Lutein (Marigold flower extract)
 5000 mcg
Lycopene
3000 mcg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
1000 mcg
Astaxanthin (Haematococcus pluvialis extract)
 1000 mcg
Zeaxanthin (Marigold flower extract)
 305 mcg
Alpha-Carotene (D-salina)
 286 mcg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Dairy Free Sugar Free
Report overview
Vitamin A (Beta-Carotene) · 25000 IU OverallScore86
A+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyA+ Value

A broad carotenoid formula and oil-based softgel provide strong form quality and absorption support. The vitamin A amount is much higher than the preferred daily range, even though beta-carotene is less prone to toxicity than preformed retinol. Detailed carotenoid disclosure and efficient cost are strengths, but the high dose may be unnecessary for routine use.

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70 Performance

Eye Wellness With Zeaxanthin

Bio Nutrition
<p>Lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and zinc provide a relevant eye-support core at good value. It is not a clear upgrade over the original’s broader oil-based carotenoid profile, and lightly dosed botanicals plus ginkgo-related bleeding risk are trade-offs.</p>
64 Performance

Norwegian Cod Liver Oil 1250 mg Fresh Orange Flavor

AN Amazing Nutrition Amazing Omega
<p>Cod liver oil supplies preformed vitamin A, vitamin D3, and natural vitamin E in a lipid matrix. It lacks the original’s lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and astaxanthin breadth, while undisclosed EPA and DHA prevent a full potency comparison.</p>
61 Performance

Hawaiian Spirulina 600 mg

LifeTIME
<p>Spirulina supplies beta-carotene and protein in a simpler formula without the original’s very high beta-carotene amount. It does not match the original’s diverse carotenoids or oil-based delivery, and pigment standardization plus contaminant testing are not provided.</p>
78 Budget

Cod Liver Oil Plus Vitamins A & D3

Spring Valley
<p>Cod liver oil supplies preformed vitamin A and vitamin D3 in a lipid matrix at a far lower serving cost than most products in the supplied group. Both vitamin amounts are modest, duplicate vitamin D entries create uncertainty, and EPA plus DHA are not quantified.</p>
77 Budget

Hair Skin & Nails

Nature Made
<p>Beta-carotene, vitamin C, biotin, zinc, and copper provide concise beauty-oriented coverage at a very low serving cost. Oxide minerals and high biotin are drawbacks, and the formula does not replace an original chosen for zinc lozenges, greens, calcium, colostrum, or broad carotenoids.</p>
80 Budget

Norwegian Cod Liver Oil with EPA/DHA

Nature's Truth
<p>Cod liver oil provides a lipid carrier for retinyl palmitate and vitamin D3 at strong routine value. Vitamin amounts are modest and EPA plus DHA are not disclosed, so it works for basic fat-soluble nutrition rather than a specialized original purpose.</p>
82 Value

Norwegian Cod Liver Oil 1000 mg Fresh Orange Flavor

AN Amazing Nutrition Amazing Omega
<p>A large supply of cod liver oil, natural vitamin E, vitamin D3, and preformed vitamin A offers strong serving value. EPA and DHA are not quantified and cumulative preformed vitamin A intake needs attention, but the formula is far easier to assess than opaque greens or reds blends.</p>
73 Value

Only One Liquid-Gel Multi

Irwin Naturals
<p>Broad vitamins and minerals in a liquid-gel provide economical daily nutrition with a lipid-containing format. Mixed nutrient forms, unquantified fish oil, iron, and tiny blends limit refinement, but disclosed essentials offer better practical value than heavily opaque products.</p>
70 Value

Premium Adult Multi-Vitamin Mineral

Tropical Oasis
<p>Natural vitamin E and methylcobalamin strengthen a broad liquid multivitamin at a moderate serving cost. Vitamin D2, conventional forms, token specialty additions, and a hidden herbal blend keep the value improvement modest.</p>
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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical 0.1% Stabilized Bioactive Retinol for Photoaging: A Vehicle-Controlled Integrated Analysis.
    Farris P; Berson D; Bhatia N; Goldberg D; Lain E; Mariwalla K; Zeichner J; Miller D; McGuire T; Kizoulis M · Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD · 2024
    Meta-analysis471 participants6 studies pooledSkin Health forVitamin A
  2. Biomarkers of Tretinoin Precursors and Tretinoin Efficacy in Patients With Moderate to Severe Facial Photodamage: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Chien AL; Kim DJ; Cheng N; Shin J; Leung SG; Nelson AM; Zang J; Suh H; Rainer B; Wallis L; Okoye GA; Loss M; Kang S · JAMA dermatology · 2022
    Randomized trial24 participantsSkin Health forVitamin A
  3. Photodecomposition of vitamin A and photobiological implications for the skin.
    Fu PP; Xia Q; Yin JJ; Cherng SH; Yan J; Mei N; Chen T; Boudreau MD; Howard PC; Wamer WG · Photochemistry and photobiology · 2007
    Narrative reviewSkin Health forVitamin A
  4. Effect of short-term, high-dose retinol on dark adaptation in aging and early age-related maculopathy.
    Owsley C; McGwin G; Jackson GR; Heimburger DC; Piyathilake CJ; Klein R; White MF; Kallies K · Investigative ophthalmology & visual science · 2006
    Randomized trial104 participantsVision Support forVitamin A
  5. Vitamin A and fish oils for retinitis pigmentosa.
    Rayapudi S; Schwartz SG; Wang X; Chavis P · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2014
    Systematic review866 participants3 studies pooledVision Support forVitamin A
  6. Long-term effects of fenretinide on retinal function.
    Decensi A; Fontana V; Fioretto M; Rondanina G; Torrisi R; Orengo MA; Costa A · European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) · 1997
    Clinical trial42 participantsVision Support forVitamin A
  7. The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Ito N; Seki S; Ueda F · Nutrients · 2018
    Randomized trial23 participantsSkin Health forAstaxanthin
  8. Supplementating with dietary astaxanthin combined with collagen hydrolysate improves facial elasticity and decreases matrix metalloproteinase-1 and -12 expression: a comparative study with placebo.
    Yoon HS; Cho HH; Cho S; Lee SR; Shin MH; Chung JH · Journal of medicinal food · 2015
    Randomized trial44 participantsSkin Health forAstaxanthin
  9. Continuous astaxanthin intake reduces oxidative stress and reverses age-related morphological changes of residual skin surface components in middle-aged volunteers.
    Chalyk NE; Klochkov VA; Bandaletova TY; Kyle NH; Petyaev IM · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) · 2018
    Single-arm trial31 participantsSkin Health forAstaxanthin
  10. The effectiveness of a standardized rose hip powder, containing seeds and shells of Rosa canina, on cell longevity, skin wrinkles, moisture, and elasticity.
    Phetcharat L; Wongsuphasawat K; Winther K · Clinical interventions in aging · 2016
    Randomized trial34 participantsSkin Health forAstaxanthin
  11. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects.
    Tominaga K; Hongo N; Karato M; Yamashita E · Acta biochimica Polonica · 2012
    Other66 participantsSkin Health forAstaxanthin
  12. Systemic and skin-targeting beneficial effects of lycopene-enriched ice cream: A pilot study.
    Chernyshova MP; Pristenskiy DV; Lozbiakova MV; Chalyk NE; Bandaletova TY; Petyaev IM · Journal of dairy science · 2019
    Randomized trialSkin Health forLycopene
  13. Topical lycopene emulgel significantly improves biophysical parameters of human skin.
    Sohail M; Muhammad Faran Ashraf Baig M; Akhtar N; Chen Y; Xie B; Li B · European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : official journal of Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik e.V · 2022
    Clinical trialSkin Health forLycopene
  14. Supplementation with tomato-based products increases lycopene, phytofluene, and phytoene levels in human serum and protects against UV-light-induced erythema.
    Aust O; Stahl W; Sies H; Tronnier H; Heinrich U · International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition · 2005
    Randomized trialSkin Health forLycopene
  15. Association of Vitamin A Intake With Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk in the United States.
    Kim J; Park MK; Li WQ; Qureshi AA; Cho E · JAMA dermatology · 2024
    Cohort study123,570 participantsSkin Health forLycopene
  16. β-Carotene and other carotenoids in protection from sunlight.
    Stahl W; Sies H · The American journal of clinical nutrition · 2013
    Narrative reviewSkin Health forLycopene
  17. Tensile properties and contours of aging facial skin. A controlled double-blind comparative study of the effects of retinol, melibiose-lactose and their association.
    Piérard-Franchimont C; Castelli D; Cromphaut IV; Bertin C; Ries G; Cauwenbergh G; Piérard GE · Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging (ISSI) · 2016
    Randomized trial120 participantsSkin Health forVitamin A
  18. Antiaging action of retinol: from molecular to clinical.
    Bellemère G; Stamatas GN; Bruère V; Bertin C; Issachar N; Oddos T · Skin pharmacology and physiology · 2009
    Randomized trial48 participantsSkin Health forVitamin A
  19. An Updated Review of Topical Tretinoin in Dermatology: From Acne and Photoaging to Skin Cancer.
    Balado-Simó P; Morgado-Carrasco D; Gómez-Armayones S; López-Ferrer A; Barco D; Ferrándiz-Pulido C; Podlipnik S · Journal of clinical medicine · 2025
    Narrative reviewSkin Health forVitamin A
  20. Novel Cyclized Hexapeptide-9 Outperforms Retinol Against Skin Aging: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Active- and Vehicle-Controlled Clinical Trial.
    Chang H; Tao K; Yang Y; Wang Y; Ge M; Wang X; Tang S; Yu H · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2025
    Randomized trialSkin Health forVitamin A
  21. Benefits and Safety of Astaxanthin in the Treatment of Mild-To-Moderate Dry Eye Disease.
    Tian L; Wen Y; Li S; Zhang P; Wang Y; Wang J; Cao K; Du L; Wang N; Jie Y · Frontiers in nutrition · 2022
    Single-arm trial60 participantsVision Support forAstaxanthin
  22. Astaxanthin (AstaReal®) Improved Acute and Chronic Digital Eye Strain in Children: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Hecht KA; Marwah M; Wood V; Nishida Y; Bach AE; Gerson J; Hom MM; Schnackenberg J; Raote S; Srivastava S; Negi P; Caston E · Advances in therapy · 2025
    Randomized trial64 participantsVision Support forAstaxanthin
  23. Effects of diet containing astaxanthin on visual function in healthy individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study.
    Sekikawa T; Kizawa Y; Li Y; Miura N · Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition · 2023
    Randomized trial60 participantsVision Support forAstaxanthin
  24. Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential.
    Kidd P · Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic · 2012
    Narrative reviewVision Support forAstaxanthin
  25. Nutritional Supplementation for Myopia Prevention and Control: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
    Martinez-Perez C; Oliveira AP · Nutrients · 2026
    Systematic review9 studies pooledVision Support forAstaxanthin
  26. A randomized trial of vitamin A and vitamin E supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa.
    Berson EL; Rosner B; Sandberg MA; Hayes KC; Nicholson BW; Weigel-DiFranco C; Willett W · Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) · 1993
    Randomized trial601 participantsVision Support forVitamin A
  27. Efficacy and safety of retinol palmitate ophthalmic solution in the treatment of dry eye: a Japanese Phase II clinical trial.
    Toshida H; Funaki T; Ono K; Tabuchi N; Watanabe S; Seki T; Otake H; Kato T; Ebihara N; Murakami A · Drug design, development and therapy · 2018
    Randomized trial66 participantsVision Support forVitamin A
  28. Vitamin A supplementation for preventing morbidity and mortality in children from six months to five years of age.
    Imdad A; Mayo-Wilson E; Haykal MR; Regan A; Sidhu J; Smith A; Bhutta ZA · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2022
    Meta-analysis1,223,856 participants47 studies pooledVision Support forVitamin A
  29. Vitamin A supplementation improves retinal function in infants at risk of retinopathy of prematurity.
    Mactier H; McCulloch DL; Hamilton R; Galloway P; Bradnam MS; Young D; Lavy T; Farrell L; Weaver LT · The Journal of pediatrics · 2012
    Randomized trial89 participantsVision Support forVitamin A