Ingredient Spotlight: Astaxanthin- The Antioxidant Powerhouse Your Skin Has Been Waiting For

Some skincare ingredients are nice-to-have. Others are game-changers. Astaxanthin firmly belongs in the latter category. Naturally derived from microalgae, this potent carotenoid is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the skincare world—boasting up to 6,000 times the antioxidant strength of Vitamin C. At Cellis, we’ve made it a hero in both our Everyday C Complex and Overnight A Complex, because its skin benefits are too compelling to ignore.

Why Astaxanthin matters
Every day, your skin is bombarded by environmental stressors—UV rays, pollution, blue light—all of which generate free radicals. These unstable molecules attack collagen, elastin, and cell membranes, accelerating visible ageing. Antioxidants neutralise these free radicals, but not all antioxidants are created equal.

Astaxanthin’s unique molecular structure allows it to span the lipid bilayer of skin cells, protecting both the water-loving and oil-loving parts of the membrane. That means comprehensive defence, where other antioxidants may only protect in part.

The skin benefits

• Collagen protection: By reducing oxidative stress, Astaxanthin helps preserve collagen integrity, supporting firmness and elasticity.
  
  

• Improved hydration: Studies show it can enhance skin moisture retention—making it a perfect partner to Sodium Hyaluronate in our formulations.
  
  

• Even tone & radiance: Its anti-inflammatory action helps calm redness, while its deep orange pigment imparts a healthy-looking glow.
  
  

• Photoprotection: When used alongside SPF, Astaxanthin boosts skin’s resilience to UV-induced damage.
  
  

Why we love it in Cellis formulations
In the Everyday C Complex, Astaxanthin teams up with Vitamin C for a synergistic antioxidant shield, keeping skin brighter and more resilient throughout the day. In the Overnight A Complex, it complements Retinol and Azelaic Acid to reduce oxidative stress during the skin’s natural repair cycle, ensuring you wake up to skin that looks refreshed, not depleted.

Astaxanthin isn’t a passing trend—it’s a cornerstone of smarter skincare. And when combined with other high-performance actives in intelligent, multi-functional formulations, its benefits multiply. That’s why it’s at the heart of Cellis: because your skin deserves more than the basics—it deserves the best science has to offer.