advanced skin care


the fight against ageing Karen Deehan on the power of antioxidants


When it comes to protecting skin, nature has provided us with a powerful weapon. Antioxidants have long been known for their health benefits, but their importance for skin care is also becoming increasingly clear.


Antioxidants have a protective effect on our skin and overall health.When our bodies burn oxygen, our cells become oxidised – you can see this process happening when a freshly cut apple turns brown. Oxidation causes free radicals, which are cells that lose an electron and subsequently try to ‘steal’one fromother cells.This sets off a negative chain reaction which impacts negatively on our appearance and wellbeing. It can lead to anything from dull, prematurely ageing skin to heart disease and even some forms of cancer.The human body does need a certain level of free radicals in order to function effectively, but stress, cigarette smoking, alcohol, sunlight, pollution and other factors can cause an overload.


This is where antioxidants come in.They work by neutralising free radicals, leading to greater cell stability within the body. However, as they do this they themselves become oxidised, so they need to be constantly replenished. “To get great skin, you need to make sure you’re consuming high levels of antioxidants. Eating the right foods will help, but you should also be taking themin supplement form,” says Lorraine Perretta, Head of Nutrition for theAdvanced Nutrition Programme. “Antioxidants work in synergy, so it’s not a good idea to take just one in isolation – for example taking a vitamin C supplement on its own won’t give you the breadth of protection you need. That’s why we developed our new SkinAntioxidant supplement, which blends seven different antioxidants, all designed to keep skin looking healthy and youthful.”


antioxidants in action


The best known antioxidants for skin include vitamins C and E along with theminerals Copper, Zinc and Selenium. However, a growing body of research suggests that plant compounds, known as phytonutrients, also have powerful antioxidant properties. Renowned nutritionist Patrick Holford calls them‘nature’s pharmacy’because of their benefits for skin and health.


Carotenoids, another type of antioxidants found in such produce as carrots, have been shown to have anti-ageing properties.


Plants contain antioxidants to protect themselves fromlight and our skin uses them in a similar way to ward off UV damage. In a study by the Institute of Experimental Dermatology, a sample group was given an antioxidant supplement containing the phytonutrients lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene and selenium.After 10 weeks, skin density had increased by 7%and thickness had increased by 14%. Scaling and roughness decreased by 60%and 33%respectively (1)


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When the sun hits the skin it causes free radical damage, which can lead to wrinkled, thickened skin and uneven skin tone.All


antioxidants have a sun protective effect, but lycopene, found in tomatoes,may be one of themost powerful in this regard.A study by the British Society of Investigative Dermatology, for example, suggested that it helped to protect against sunburn and there is other research to back this up. Unusually, this particular antioxidant ismore potent when the tomatoes have been processed, so puree, paste, tomato-based pasta sauce and even ketchup are rich sources.


Carotenoids, another type of antioxidants found in carrots, peppers and spinach, have been shown to have anti-ageing properties.


156 GUILD NEWS


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