The skin works to prevent toxins from penetrating deep into the body. It fights elements by electro-statically filtering chemicals out of the air and concentrating these polluted cells in the epidermal barrier cells before shedding them. Unfortunately, the skin cannot shed itself nearly fast enough to keep these elements from doing damage to the underlying physiological processes. This is one reason why skin cancer has become the most common form of cancer. In fact, nearly one-third of all cancers originate in the skin. The skin, being the outer shield of the body, is also the last to receive nutrients from the blood stream. Adding to that our poor diets, environmental pollution, and the fact that our soil is depleted of minerals, you'll realize that even with supplementation our body may not have enough power to fight this battle on its own.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes essential to life and health. They are naturally produced in the body, and can be obtained from foods we eat and natural supplements. Antioxidants are only those elements that prevent or decrease oxidation reactions. Oxygen is obviously essential for life, but the utilization of oxygen does come with a price. In the process of our use of oxygen, unstable molecules known as free radicals are created at the cellular level. These free radicals act in a “chain reaction,” stealing stable electron partners from other cells thus launching more free radicals and creating instability. Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism, while others are purposely created by the body's immune system cells to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, UV and X-Ray radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides, as well as inappropriate diet and stress can also spawn free radicals. Normally, the body can handle these reactions, but if antioxidants are unavailable, or if the free radical production becomes excessive, damage occurs. Of particular importance is that free radical damage accumulates with age. The damage caused by these radical cells is known as cellular death. Surface damage manifests itself in superficial lines, deep wrinkles, dry skin, loss of elasticity, and skin discoloration. In the deeper levels of the skin, free radicals can destroy the collagen and elastin support system, damage DNA and enzymes, impair immune functions and originate tissue deterioration.

A wealth of research has indicated that antioxidants can help protect against diseases including cancer, diabetes, eye disease, heart disease, HIV, psoriasis, lupus and dermatitis, among others. Antioxidant nutrients play a key role in our ability to protect against this oxidative damage and are also beneficial in enhancing immune cells and increasing collagen synthesis.

Antioxidants and Skin Health

Of all therapies addressing skin disorders, antioxidant therapy is proving to be most effective. This is because oxidative stress is a factor common to most skin problems. Antioxidant therapy has been introduced into professional skin care as a way to neutralize destructive elements before they can do harm. Antioxidants have been called “free radical scavengers” because of their ability to provide electrons to the radical cells, rendering them harmless before they can attach to healthy cells and trigger destructive chain reactions. An antioxidant treatment provides the skin with these vital substances that are recognized by the cell's membrane and are used to protect against free radical reactions, noticeably slowing the aging process. Antioxidants act in heightening all metabolic processes of the skin cells such as: immunity, cell restoration, cell detoxification and nutrient absorption. A number of vitamins, including A, C and E, have antioxidant benefits. Other antioxidants providing health advantages are enzymes, proteins and minerals.

Vitamin A

Also known as Retinol, vitamin A is a potent antioxidant which can be converted in the skin to Retinoic Acid. When used topically, vitamin A attracts water from the dermis, which aids in hydration of the epidermal layers of the skin.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is the most abundant antioxidant found naturally in the skin. It is most commonly found in vegetables and citrus fruits. It is necessary for the growth of new tissue and for the replacement of old tissue, such as in wound healing. It is a “building block” for the formation of collagen, a protein that acts as biological cement to hold the cells of the body together. Vitamin C acts as photoprotector and photocorrector. Topical Vitamin C can prevent the consequences of prolonged sun exposure, which can lead to skin cancer. Vitamin C is most commonly found in the form of L-ascorbic acid and is a precursor to many hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisone, which are produced by the body's response to stress, injury and other factors. Vitamin C also protects vitamin A against oxidation, is used to regenerate vitamin E on the membrane surfaces of cells, supports the benefits of vitamin B12 and partly compensates for deficiencies of Pantothenic Acid, another B vitamin.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant whose group of agents includes tocopherols. The active forms of vitamin E are the alpha and gamma tocopherol. It appears to improve moisturization, softness and smoothness of the skin. There have been numerous studies that show that topical natural vitamin E reduces sunburn cell production, chronic UV-induced damage and the production of cancer causing cells. The vitamin is also known to have significant interactions with vitamin A, cysteine and methionine (sulfur amino acids), glutathione, polyunsaturated fatty acids, selenium and vitamin C. It helps to promote circulation, protect cell membranes and lipids against oxidation and plays a significant role in immune function.

Glutathione

Glutathione, an enzyme made from the amino acid Cysteine, is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals created during the production of energy from glucose and works with other antioxidants to clear free radicals and the products of their metabolism from the body. A second activity of glutathione is to support the liver's excretion of toxins, and a third is its especially important role in the protection of the red blood cells and in maintaining the readiness of the white immune cells. Glutathione works closely with the antioxidant enzyme Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), which the body generates to manage free radical reactions. Glutathione is useful for removing heavy metals from the body, and in general is considered to be a fundamental compound in the body's anti-cancer arsenal.

Super Oxide Dismutase

Super Oxide Dismutase is another antioxidant enzyme, also known as S.O.D. Research suggests that SOD may be the most important enzyme in our body for the control of free radicals, keeping our cell membranes young, supple and healthy. S.O.D. has demonstrated its ability to reduce facial wrinkles and scar tissue, heal wounds and burns and lighten hyperpigmentaion. It is also an anti-inflammatory and therefore protects against harmful UV rays from the sun. S.O.D. regulates collagen and elastin formation to keep skin thick, strong and smooth.

Spin Trap PBN

PBN (phenyl-butyl-nitrone) is the most powerful intelligent antioxidant known. The more free radicals hit the skin, the more the body loses its antioxidant capability. With this loss, comes the degradation of the body's ability to trap the more powerful hydroxyl radicals. Without natural traps to manage these rampant radicals, no amount of antioxidants can reverse the damage done. Spin trap PBN is a molecule that isolates and preserves the free radical and reintroduces it to the system for productive processing. Instead of destroying oxygen free radicals, it traps and escorts them back into the respiratory cycle where they are fully utilized in tissue respiration. Scientists have proven PBN traps to be highly effective in reversing signs of aging in skin.

Antioxidants in Skin Care Products and Treatments

Retinyl Palmitate (vitamin A) is commonly used in moisturizers and serums to prevent the oxidation of other lipids in the formulation. Vitamins C and E can be found in various creams, lotions and serums. Spin trap PBN can be found in masks, moisturizers and eye serums. Other plant-derived antioxidants such as allantoin (from aloe), and shea butter are commonly used for cleansers, masks, toners, exfoliators and lotions. Additionally, antioxidants are continually used in sunscreens, and in special treatments such as antioxidant eye treatments, or antioxidant facials. Age rejuvenation through antioxidant therapy is achieved through the combination of exfoliation, deep cleansing, antioxidant infusion and massage. It is the physical product with the anti-stress benefits that merge together to achieve the highest level of result in therapy.

Final Thoughts

Going over ingredient lists on the products you use with your clients is essential. Ideally, look for a high concentration of natural ingredients and as few as possible chemical binders and fillers. Research consistently demonstrates that mixtures made up of smaller amounts of a variety of antioxidants are more strongly protective and prevent conditions, than large amounts of any single antioxidant.

Let your clients know that antioxidant treatments and products are not enough. It is clear that a diet of fruits and vegetables, along with supplementation of a multi-nutrient formula containing a well-researched balance of antioxidant compounds, is an ideal approach to physical wellness and disease prevention. Maintaining a balanced diet, exercise program and topical treatment regimen is the most effective path to preserve health, youth and beauty.