Thu, September 16, 2010

ANTIOXIDANTS

Nature’s Remedy For Preventing Skin Aging

Antioxidants are one of nature's best organic ingredients for protecting and preventing against premature skin aging. Two factors determine how quickly our skin reveals the passing of time - Our Intrinsic Factors (Genetics) and Extrinsic (Environment).

We can do something about extrinsic factors - environmental skin aging occurs from daily exposure to UV light and other environmental or extrinsic factors like, pollution and smoke, as well as personal habits like sleep deprivation, stress, eating habits and disease - all of which cause oxidative stress. Actually, extrinsic factors are thought to account for 80% of avoidable skin aging (L. Uitto, J. Understanding Premature Skin Aging, N Eng Jnl Medicine, 1997; 337; 1463 ). When the skin is exposed to UV light, such as sunlight, the elastin that holds the cells together breaks down and without this support the skin begins to wrinkle and sag. Most of the environmental aging problems come from the accumulative effect of multiple, short periods of time outside.

Oxidative stress is used to describe the steady state level of oxidative damage in a cell, tissue, or organ, caused by the reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron that are created by extrinsic factors penetrating the skin. Free radicals are thought to be a major contributor to the skin aging process. There is evidence to suggest free radicals induce changes in gene expression pathways that lead to the degradation of collagen and elastin characteristic of photo-aged skin. Antioxidants neutralize these reactive oxygen species by giving them the needed paired electron.

When we are young, we have enough 'built in defenses' to neutralize the damage caused by free radicals, but as we age we lose our ability to naturally neutralize the release of the free radicals. Free radicals react with DNA, lipids and proteins to cause damage in the skin resulting in the signs of skin aging. Clinical studies have shown that topical antioxidants limit free radical damage, augment the body's natural antioxidants, soften wrinkles, fight sagging, improve radiance and optimize skin's overall health.

Obagi Professional-C Serums use advanced scientific formulas developed and tested by leading Vitamin C experts. Obagi Professional-C Serums offer maximum daily antioxidant protection and greater penetration than other Vitamin C products. The greater the penetration, the greater the antioxidant benefit to your skin.

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