UV protection is the no. 1 way to prevent wrinkles. If you want a colour, try a spray tan or a bronzer. Apply sunscreen every single day as part of your morning routine - summer and winter. Skin cancer is on the increase, the number of skin cancer cases is set to treble over the next 20 years with the incidence of melanoma increasing in men at a much greater rate than in women, the Irish Cancer Society has warned. More than 13,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year. Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to the UV rays in natural sunlight. Basal cell and squamous cell cancers are the most common types of skin cancer and tend to form on sun-exposed parts of the body. They are typically related to lifetime sun exposure.
It is important to protect the skin from environmental factors which create various skin issues – to include wrinkles , discolouration, rosacea etc. Protect against free radical damage – when free radicals do not have antioxidants to keep them in check, they become rogue- which can cause inflammation - this can lead to breakouts, hyperpigmentation, darkening in the skin and an uneven skin tone.
Breakouts, uneven skin tone, sagging skin, pigmentation, and premature ageing can all impact our confidence which makes protecting our skin important.
What are we protecting the skin from?
In terms of ageing and the ageing process, there are two forms to know about: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic ageing is how we are genetically programmed to age. This is deeply influenced by our genes which impact how our hormones will behave and regulate. The second part is intrinsic ageing. This is extremely important as it’s the part you have control over through your lifestyle and environment. Sugar intake has a direct impact on our skin ageing process, as well as stress, and of course, UV and radiation. Studies have shown that 90% of premature ageing is secondary to environmental damage. Of that 90%, 75% is due to incidental damage from just walking around and being exposed to our environment - even on cloudy days. Some people think that we don’t need to protect our skin if we don’t need live in a warm climate, but unfortunately that isn’t true.
When it comes to extrinsic ageing, science shows that there is a significant reduction in collagen 1, 3 and 7 when we are exposed to these environmental factors. We need to protect the skin from this kind of damage as well as cellular damage. Cellular damage is hugely impacted by something called Free Radical Theory. This is where atoms steal electrons from healthy atoms causing more inflammation and more damage to the DNA and cell structures. That propagates more free radical damage and breaks down collagen fibres. This is why antioxidants are so important as they help protect the skin from free radical damage.
How can antioxidants help to protect the skin?
In order to be active, antioxidants need to be stable and small enough to penetrate the upper levels of the skin and get into the cells that need protecting. When looking to add an antioxidant such as vitamin C to your skin routine, you should look for formulas that include l-ascorbic acid – the active component of vitamin C – at 10-15%. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5514576/
L-ascorbic acid – needs to have a low pH of around 3.5%. Antioxidants such as this will help to protect the skin from environmental damage.
Who can benefit from antioxidants?
You can consider using antioxidants from any age. Anyone from around 18 years and above can benefit from using an antioxidant. SkinCeuticals is the award-winning and scientifically proven skincare brand. SkinCeuticals are the pioneers in antioxidant skincare. It was the first brand to stabilise vitamin C for topical application in a formulation backed by more than 30 years of research. Its founding scientist, Dr Sheldon Pinnell, a research Dermatologist established and patented the charter under which all of its vitamin C serums are made, an industry-leading benchmark known as the ‘Duke Patent Parameters’ - the research was conducted at Duke University . These parameters, ensure that all of SkinCeuticals’ products provide effective absorption and efficacy, delivering a high concentration of pure vitamin C straight to the skin. Independent clinical studies have further shown that these serums deliver advanced environmental protection and visible results. Crucially, SkinCeuticals’ products are proven to be suitable for use in between aesthetic treatments such as Botox , fillers and skin peels.. what you use daily in your skin care routine has a big impact on the results you can achieve long term . We see really great results. This product became extremely popular due to its triple-level antioxidant formula that’s delivered to the skin system. C E Ferulic has 15% active l-ascorbic acid in it along with vitamin E. If you have a drier skin type and are seeing signs of ageing such as age spots, hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles and you don’t have blemishes, I would advise C E Ferulic for ageing skin. Use 4-5 drops after cleansing in the morning. Apply PTiox , HA multi glucon and your SPF .
Another powerful antioxidant from SkinCeuticals is Phloretin C F which I personally use. Like C E Ferulic it offers the skin up to 8 x its own normal protection against environmental damage. It also includes 10% active l-ascorbic acid and 2% phloretin which is important for those who suffer with pigment changes. If you’re looking to brighten your skin and want to improve pigmentation, then Phloretin C F is for you. It’s also excellent for those with combination skin types.
I always keep my vitamin C in its box even when it’s opened and in use. It is important to protect the serum from oxidation and the free radical process. If the product is exposed to sunlight and UV, the active ingredients within it will break down easily.
What antioxidant is best if your skin is very sensitive?
For younger clients , or clients whose skin is sensitive I would consider Serum 10. It has 10% l-ascorbic acid so it’s better for sensitive skin types.
Another product I really like and personally use is the AOX Eye Gel. It has a triple-antioxidant action which is quite unusual for an eye cream. It has 5% l-ascorbic acid and phloretin which is excellent for those who suffer with the pigment element of dark circles and react easily to the sun.
What sunscreens work best with antioxidants?
There are many types of UV protection but, like antioxidants, they are not all created equal. You have mineral and physical sunscreens. You can also get sunscreens with added antioxidants which I believe gives added benefits. Mineral sunscreens act as more of a physical block, so they sit on the skin and reflect UV light away. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and absorb UV rays. These tend to be clear and translucent and aren’t water resistant whereas mineral sunscreens are.
SPF Advanced Brightening UV Defence. I use this myself – the 2% niacinamide and 1% tranexamic acid in a formula improves the benefits of this formulation.
Ultra Facial Defence is a chemical sunscreen that’s great for drier skin types. It has vitamin E within it which can help with barrier protection and repair. If you have an oiler skin type I would recommend the Sheer Mineral sunscreen. It has a mattifying effect and is a very lightweight, physical SPF that is good for more sensitive skin types. Physical SPF is also recommended post clinic skin peels.
Other factors to consider.
Finally over the years, not getting enough sleep can damage your skin. You want to avoid the inflammatory impact of insulin. Do your best to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Try getting up early every day to experience day light early in the morning and going to bed at the same time every night.
