Antioxidants protect you against the unstable molecules in your skin that produce oxidants- (free radicals) this speed up skin ageing and damages DNA. Typically this is caused by over exposure to sunlight ,smoking air pollution, poor diet ,serious ill health, stress and poor diet and lifestyle. The resulting damage includes fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, discolouration and skin cancer.
For a long time now, we've all been super-concerned about UV rays as the cause of these free radicals. That's why there's been so much talk about using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which means that the product protects against UVA and UVB. (UVA is associated with tanning and photo-damage, causing collagen damage and skin-cancer while UVB is responsible for burning).
A 2008 German study found that it's not just the UV rays that are the problem: Infrared radiation—which we experience as the heat of the sun—may also release free radicals and accelerate ageing.
This is a good reason to add a good quality antioxidant to your armour against skin-ageing.
DNA Damage.
The three actives you need to be using ;
- Antioxidants help prevent the breakdown of elastin.
- Retinols speed up cell turnover.
- Peptides tell your skin to make more collagen. Remember to use an antioxidant serum underneath your sunscreen every day, it might just be what keeps you looking young.
When choosing antioxidants, opt for vitamins A and C: Not only do they repair damage, but they work to brighten the skin, too.
Retinols can improve the firmness of skin, reverse signs of sun and environmental damage, treat acne and reduce hyperpigmentation, dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles. It’s no wonder retinols have long been touted as a skincare miracle!
Peptides are segments of active proteins that communicate with cells and instruct them to behave in certain ways. In the skin, peptides may signal elastin production (elastin helps skin “bounce back”) or prompt skin to heal itself after a wound.
The peptides used in anti-aging products enter skin cells and instruct them to do certain things such as (surprise, surprise) produce collagen, alleviate redness or signal muscles to relax, thereby minimizing wrinkles. One common peptide found in skincare products is ‘palmitoyl pentapeptide’ which has been shown effective in fighting wrinkles. There are other peptides that don’t directly stimulate your skin to do anything, but because they are so small can penetrate deep into the layers and act as a delivery mechanism for other ingredients. Copper peptides, for example, bring molecules of copper deep into the skin where it can improve wound healing from the inside out.
Ceramides are lipid molecules that are found in high concentrations within cell membranes. In the top layer of the skin, ceramides hold skin cells together, forming a protective layer that plumps the skin and retains moisture.
What it does: In skincare products, ceramides are used to replenish the natural lipids that are lost from exposure to harsh environmental factors, use of drying products, and during in the aging process. They restore moisture, fortify the skin’s natural barrier and help protect it against harm from foreign elements.
A naturally occurring substance in the human body that regulates cell renewal, lubricates connective tissue and maintains skin’s moisture and elasticity.
Hyaluronic acid
When used topically, hyaluronic acid creates a moisture barrier on the skin, helping to make it smoother and softer. This ingredient is able to hold up to 1000x its own weight in water, thus producing amazing benefits for dehydrated skin. As an injectable, hyaluronic acid works as a plumper, filling wrinkles and fine lines. Because it is already naturally present in our bodies, hyaluronic acid is a safer alternative to synthetic ingredients and is less likely to be rejected as a foreign substance. Niacinamide helps to protect and repair skin from damage by preventing the formation of dark spots, boosts collagen growth, and improves your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
