The rise of "cellular health"—the latest wellness frontier promising your best skin yet

The sci-fi era of wellness has well and truly arrived. We’re breathing into hyperbaric oxygen chambers, using EMS to sculpt our faces, basking under infrared sauna lights, and tracking everything from sleep to stress through tiny devices on our arms (or fingers, if you’re a fellow Oura ring devotee). Yet the latest phrase circulating in health-conscious circles feels less futuristic than foundational, bringing our attention back to the basics. Enter: cellular health.

At its core, it’s simple. “Cellular health is the foundation of every function in the body. If your cells aren’t well, nothing is,” says Dr Monisha Bhanote, MD, FCAP, ABOIM, and author of The Anatomy of Wellbeing. Considering the body houses some 37.2 trillion cells—each with its own metabolism, repair system and lifespan—looking after them is key to leading a healthy life. So when we talk about cellular health, what we really mean is “how well the cells in our body function and how effectively they produce energy, communicate, detoxify, and repair,” adds Jess Kane, co-founder of supplement brand BodyBio.

Talk of "cellness" or "cellcare" is now quietly creeping into everything from product names to marketing taglines. Those energy-boosting NMN IV drips? Electrolyte powders? Cellular defence supplements? They all aim to support the health and function of our cells. Even skincare is jumping on board, with a new wave of formulas claiming to nourish at the cellular level, using bioactive ingredients and meticulously designed molecular weights to penetrate the cell membrane. If you can recall anything from GCSE biology, now’s the moment to dust off that knowledge.

Cells, then, are fast becoming central to the wellness conversation because, as Kane puts it, once we understand them, “it gives people a new framework for healing and a real sense of agency”. And as science continues to evolve—particularly in areas like mitochondrial function, lipidomics and epigenetics— the conversation is only just beginning. “Think of it like this: you can invest in the best serums, the most advanced facials, or cutting-edge biohacking tools, but if your cells are depleted on the inside, the glow won’t last,” says Dr Bhanote.

Conversely, poor cellular health can come with serious consequences. “As a pathologist, I’ve looked at hundreds of thousands of cells under the microscope—healthy ones, inflamed ones, cancerous ones— and what I’ve learned is this: disease doesn’t begin with symptoms, it begins in your cells,” continues Dr Bhanote. These changes don’t happen overnight, she adds. They’re often the result of long-term patterns in how we live, eat, move, and rest. “When you understand that, you realise cellular wellness isn’t about reacting to illness, it’s about protecting your cells before they ever send out an SOS.”

What does that look like? Low energy, brain fog, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, poor immunity, toxin sensitivity and slow recovery from stress or workouts, says Kane. Joanna Ellner, founder of biotech skincare brand Reome, adds that dullness, uneven tone, increased sensitivity and slower wound healing are all signs our skin’s internal systems may be struggling. “Over time, you’ll notice that skin feels less elastic, hydration levels drop more rapidly, and inflammation becomes more of an issue, showing up as redness, rosacea or breakouts—all signals that the skin’s internal machinery needs support.”

If you’re mentally ticking off the above list—I certainly once did—there’s good news: much of the damage can be reversed. The key? Consistency over complexity, says Dr Bhanote. “Your cells respond to rhythm—daily nourishment, movement, sleep and stress regulation.” She continues, “a plant-forward diet rich in polyphenols, omega-3s and minerals fuels mitochondrial energy and reduces oxidative damage, while breathwork and quality sleep activate repair pathways”. Even just ten minutes in nature can lower cortisol, improving cellular signalling. These micro-adjustments matter even more as we age, when cellular decline becomes more apparent.

Still, given that our modern lifestyles can make these things easier said than done, there are targeted ways to lend your cells a helping hand. Kane breaks it down into three core pillars: membrane integrity (how well your cells are structured and able to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste); mitochondrial function (the energy engine of your cells); and detoxification and nutrient replenishment.

Each BodyBio supplement is formulated with these principles in mind. The hero product, Phosphatidylcholine (PC), is a phospholipid—essentially, a building block of every cell membrane—that helps restore integrity, improving detoxification, communication and nutrient absorption. I’ve been taking a PC shot every morning for five months, and I’ve noticed a real reduction in food sensitivity and brain fog. My usual summer flip-flop scabs? They healed in next to no time. All are small but telling signs that my cells may just be operating more efficiently.

Kane also recommends butyrate to support the gut lining, fatty acids for hormone health, and both she and Dr Bhanote champion glutathione—our body’s master antioxidant. When it comes to skincare, Ellner insists minerals are the unsung heroes: zinc, copper, and magnesium are all essential co-factors in cellular function, yet are rarely included in topical formulas. “Although they’re naturally occurring in the body, the skin is the last to benefit as organs take priority,” she explains. That’s why her Reome Active Recovery Broth features a bio-fermented mineral complex designed to extend the longevity of skin cells — falling into a category she calls "cellular beauty", which she’s certain we’ll be seeing much more of.

So, to leave you with a final thought: cellular health isn’t just a wellness buzzword — it’s fast becoming the foundation of the entire movement. As Dr Bhanote puts it, “supporting your cells is not a luxury, it’s the new baseline for ageing well. The earlier we tend to our cellular health, the more gracefully we navigate stress, slow biological ageing, and prevent the silent inflammation that underlies most chronic disease”.

Lead image: Getty Images

This article first appeared on Harper'sBazaar.com/uk
 

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