The skin is most vulnerable and visual to the signs of aging. Fine lines, wrinkles, lack of elasticity, pigmentation and dry, dull skin can all indications of how well our skin is being negatively affected. Oxidation from environmental sources is thought to be the most usual culprit when it comes to aging. Vitamin C, vitamin E and Ferulic acid are powerful antioxidants which can help reduce the signs of aging. They do this by stimulating collagen production and repairing and protecting from free radicals and damage from the sun.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants systems prevent the uncontrolled formation of free radicals and activated oxygen species, or inhibit their reactions. Antioxidants are found in the epidermis (outer most layer of the skin), and the dermis (the deeper layer), but decline in amounts as we age.
Vitamin C
Clinical studies show vitamin C serum, applied topically significantly increased skin moisture, skin brightness and showed a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. Serum protected against oxidative damage and dermal protein loss caused by photo and chronological aging in human skin.
Pollution from our environment, cigarette smoke, ultraviolet radiation and aging can cause the vitamin C content of the skin to decline.
Applying vitamin C directly to the skin allows it to penetrate into the epidermis and dermis offering many benefits such as:
- Protection against oxidative damage
- Inactivation of free radicals from ultra violet rays
- Regeneration of vitamin E (lipid protecting antioxidant)
- Increases in collagen production
Long-term topical use of vitamin C is associated with improved skin texture and quality.
Ferulic acid
Ferulic Acid is a high-potency phytochemical antioxidant found naturally in walls of plant cells. It possesses many physiological functions beneficial for the skin, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancer activity making it especially beneficial in skin care products. Ferulic Acid can help:
- Fight free-radical damage whilst boosting the effects of vitamin C and E
- Enhance anti-UVB and anti-UVA protection – even in low concentrations
- Offer a protective role for the main structures of the skin: collagen and elastic and keratinocytes and fibroblasts
- Enhance angiogenesis (the growth of blood vessels needed in all tissues for diffusion exchange of nutrients and metabolites)
- Accelerate wound healing
- Inhibit melanogenesis (lightens the skin)
Ferulic acid delays photoaging processes and brightens the skin
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important fat-soluble antioxidant acting as a free-radical scavenger protecting the skin from various harmful effects due to solar radiation.
Why does skin age
Loss of dermal proteins is fundamental to why skin ages. How this happens is due to multiple factors but thought mainly due to oxidative stress:
Oxidative stress is onsidered the most important factor to why skin ages.
Oxidative stress refers to the imbalance due to excess reactive oxygen species or oxidants, over the capability of the cell to mount an effective antioxidant response.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the major causes and single most important contributor to skin aging. ROS production increase with age and the skin’s ability to repair damaged DNA decreases the older we get, resulting in macromolecular damage. Intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are maintained at low levels by various enzyme systems to maintain balance (homeostasis).
Oxidative stress can be seen as an imbalance between the pro-oxidants and antioxidants.
Loss of proteoglycans. These are the polysaccharide-protein conjugates in connective tissue which forms the ground substance in the extra-cellular matrix of connective tissue. A loss of which results in dryness and changes in skin texture. Decreased collagen and elastin levels result in a disorganized extracellular matrix (ECM) manifesting clinically as wrinkles and loss of firmness.
Maintaining skin Integrity
Supporting the structure and function of the skin is paramount to maintaining skin integrity. SuperDerma® Vitamin C & E Serum can support skin regeneration and help prevent further damage.
Applying vitamin C
- Apply vitamin C serum once daily after thorough cleansing and toning and before moisturising. The benefits of this formula last for 72 hours from time of application. Only a small amount is needed.
- Apply over the T-zone starting at the chin working your way up to the forehead and down the outsides of your face.
Serum can also be applied to chest and back of hands.
- Focus the serum on problem areas such as wrinkles, scars or stretch marks for maximum benefits.
Superderma is available in three strengths: For those under the age of 35 years 15% is sufficient. Initial start-up applications should begin with 15% or less and increase to 20% for best results.
Side Affects
- Some light tingling or redness may be experienced on first few applications. This is normal due to the potent ingredients.
- High concentrations of vitamin C may potentially cause skin irritation. Choose a level of vitamin C which will boost the production of collagen without inducing redness and irritation. Superderma vitamin C is buffered, making it gentle to use on sensitive skin.
- Stop using immediately if allergic reaction occurs and contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Packaged to preserve
Product is packaged in dark glass to protect against light (do not leave in direct sunlight and store at room temperature (20-25 degrees C).
In summary
Superderma Vitamin C Serum can help reduce the signs of aging by:
- Protecting collagen and increasing its production (plump, hydrated skin)
- Reducing wrinkles
- Protect against UVA/UVB sunlight by acting as a natural sunscreen
- Protect against environmental toxins and free radical damage causing - DNA damage and premature ageing of the skin.
- Brightening the skin and reducing hyperpigmentation
- Giving on-going protection
- Aid in healing wounds
References
- Antiaging effects of a novel facial serum containing L-Ascorbic acid, proteoglycans, and proteoglycan-stimulating tripeptide: ex vivo skin explant studies and in vivo clinical studies in women https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5985795/
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-C
- Aging- and photoaging-dependent changes of enzymic and nonenzymic antioxidants in the epidermis and dermis of human skin in vivo. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11710935
- Antioxidant defense mechanisms in murine epidermis and dermis and their responses to ultraviolet light. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8440901
- A review of skin and the effects of aging on skin structure and function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16980727/
- https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/proteoglycan
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and redox regulation in cellular signaling https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3454471/
- Intracellular antioxidants: from chemical to biochemical mechanisms. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10541450
- Oxidative stress, prooxidants, and antioxidants: the interplay. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24587990
- Antioxidant Properties of Ferulic Acid and Its Possible Application. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30235459
- Ferulic acid photoprotective properties in association with UV filters: multifunctional sunscreen with improved SPF and UVA-PF. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29864725
- Vitamin E in dermatology https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4976416/
- Ferulic Acid Stabilizes a Solution of Vitamins C and E and Doubles its Photoprotection of Skin https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022202X1532491X
- Overview of Angiogenesis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53238/
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