- INCI Name:Polysorbate 80, Astaxanthin
- Functions:Antioxidant, Protective Agent, Anti-Inflammatory
- Ingredient Origin:Natural Origin, Plant Origin, Animal Origin
- Labeling Claims:Clean at Sephora, Naturally Derived, Natural, Ulta Beauty's Conscious Beauty
- Benefit Claims:Antioxidant Properties, Encapsulated Actives, Moisture Retention, Improves Skin Elasticity
Astaxanthin is a blood-red pigment (carotenoid) and naturally occuring in microalgae and aquatic animals. The algae undergoes a stressing via one or a
combination of conditions ranging from the lack of nutrients, increased salinity, and excessive sunshine to create astaxanthin. The species that consume this stressed freshwater microalgae—salmon, red trout, red sea bream, flamingos, crustaceans (shrimp, krill, crabs, lobsters and crayfish)—acquire the pigmentation of the redorange hues in their appearance.