Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract

Haematococcus pluvialis extract is a type of algae rich in an antioxidant compound known as astaxanthin. Astaxanthin helps reduce oxidative stress and its resulting damage in skin, thereby offsetting unwanted effects of exposure to the sun, pollutants, etc.

Haematococcus pluvialis extract’s reparative qualities make it a welcome addition to anti-ageing skin care products and any formulation where healthy skin is the goal. Its soothing effects jibe well with compromised skin.

Additionally, Haematococcus pluvialis extract has been studied for its ability to enhance the protection level in sunscreens. In one study, concentrations as low as 0.5% and 1% of astaxanthin extracted from Haematococcus pluvialis significantly increased the SPF value.

Another benefit of Haematococcus pluvialis is its fatty acid content, which shows promise for calming environmentally damaged skin.

Based on lifecycle stage as well as other conditions (including climate), Haematococcus pluvialis can be either green or red in appearance. The red phase is what produces the astaxanthin content, since astaxanthin is a carotenoid ingredient with a characteristic reddish-orange hue.

If this extract sounds familiar to you outside of the cosmetics industry that’s because it’s used in a wide range of other applications, including in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and dietary supplement industries. There are no safety concerns for the typical amounts used in cosmetics, which ranges from 0.1–2%.