In the world of cosmetics, ingredient trends come and go, but scientifically proven actives remain. One special substance, proven to provide real, deep and lasting protection against premature skin ageing, is found in the depths of the ocean. It is astaxanthin – the most powerful antioxidant known in nature, which is rapidly becoming the gold standard of premium skincare.

What is astaxanthin and where does it come from?

Astaxanthin is a natural red pigment belonging to the carotenoid family. In nature it is synthesised by microalgae (Haematococcus pluvialis) to protect themselves against extreme environmental conditions – intense UV radiation and lack of nutrients. It is this pigment that gives flamingos, salmon and shrimp, which feed on these algae, their characteristic pink and red colour.

In dermocosmetics, the highest-purity astaxanthin obtained from sustainably cultivated microalgae is used, ensuring maximum effectiveness and compatibility with the skin.

An antioxidant with unmatched power

To understand the importance of astaxanthin compared with other widely used ingredients, it is enough to look at molecular biology research. Free radicals – unstable molecules created by UV radiation, pollution and stress – damage skin cells and accelerate the breakdown of collagen. Antioxidants neutralise these radicals.

Clinical and laboratory studies (Nishida et al., 2007) show that astaxanthin's ability to neutralise free radicals is:

• 6000 times stronger than that of vitamin C;
• 800 times stronger than that of coenzyme Q10;
• 550 times stronger than that of green tea catechins and vitamin E.

Astaxanthin's unique molecular structure allows it to span the entire skin cell membrane – both its water-soluble and fat-soluble parts (McNulty et al., 2007). This means the cell is protected from the inside and the outside at the same time, unlike most other antioxidants, which work at only one level.

Four key benefits for skin health

1. Photoprotection and protection of cellular DNA

Astaxanthin does not act as a physical UV filter (it does not replace SPF cream), but it works at the cellular level, neutralising UV-induced oxidative stress and protecting the skin from sun damage (Ito et al., 2018; Sztolsztener et al., 2026). This helps prevent both sun-induced wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.

2. Collagen synthesis and restoring skin elasticity

Collagen levels in the skin decline over the years. Astaxanthin helps block the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin (Tomiñana et al., 2012). Recent systematic reviews and clinical studies confirm that regular use of astaxanthin noticeably improves skin elasticity and density and smooths skin texture (Chiu et al., 2021).

3. Deep hydration and strengthening the skin barrier

By reducing water loss through the epidermis, astaxanthin helps retain moisture in the deeper layers of the skin (Ito et al., 2018; Chou et al., 2016). The skin becomes smoother, softer and more resistant to environmental pollution and dryness (Sztolsztener et al., 2026).

4. Anti-inflammatory and soothing effect

Astaxanthin has strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps block irritation-promoting substances in the body (Srivastava et al., 2025; Davicco et al., 2018). It also soothes sensitive and irritated skin.

It is also found in abundance in Essi Silk Glow body cream.

Read more about the cream HERE!

References

1. Chiu et al. Effects of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies. Journal of Dietary Supplements 2021; 18: 169–182.
2. Chou et al. Singlet Oxygen Quenching and Anti-photoaging Effects of Astaxanthin. Cosmetics 2016; 3: 11.
3. Davicco et al. Astaxanthin: A potential therapeutic agent in inflammatory skin diseases. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 2018; 107: 128–135.
4. Ito et al. The Protective Role of Astaxanthin for UV-Induced Skin Deterioration in Healthy People—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients 2018; 10: 817.
5. McNulty et al. Electrophilic properties of carotenoids determine their structural and antioxidant interactions with membranes. American Journal of Cardiology 2007; 100: S35–S42.
6. Nishida et al. Quenching Activities of Common Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants against Singlet Oxygen Using Chemiluminescence Detection System. Carotenoid Science 2007; 11: 16–20.
7. Srivastava et al. The Role of Astaxanthin as an Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent in Human Health: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025: 27: 700.
8. Sztolsztener et al. Exploring the Multifunctional Benefits of Astaxanthin in Aging, Oxidative Stress, Immune Dysfunction, Gut and Skin Health. Antioxidants 2026; 15: 575.
9. Tomiñana et al. Cosmetic benefits of astaxanthin on humans subjects. Acta Biochimica Polonica 2012; 59: 43–47.