Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an extract from snow algae, especially an extract from Chlamydocapsa sp (snow algae) in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical products. More particularly, the invention relates to Chlamydocapsa sp. (snow algae) in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical products employed to guard against extrinsic aging of the skin caused by negative environmental exposure, for instance, UV radiation or air pollution, but also to guard against intrinsic aging of the skin as influenced by aging-specific gene expression levels. The invention relates furthermore to a method for producing extracts from snow algae, suitable for topic applications.