PHARMANORD


aging at a slower pace, the natural way


fIghtIng accElEratED agIng WIth a patEntED Extract a


s you or your customer has likely read, a unique pine park extract known as pycnogenol


has been hitting the headlines. pycnogenol is no stranger to the limelight, with over 40 years’ worth of research linking the extract to allergy protection, ocular health, cardiac health and, of course, an improvement in skin appearance.


Dr fred pescatore (a hollywood doctor to stars such as renée zellweger and Sarah Jessica parker) has listed pycnogenol as one key supplement he recommends to his clients who aim to fight the visible effects of aging. Dr pescatore explains that pycnogenol 'improves overall appearance and has been scientifically proven to decrease the number of wrinkles'.


to understand fully, we first need to delve below the surface of the aging process.


agIng: InEVItablE bUt controllablE aging is a fundamental part of life but some environmental factors of


14 - pharmacY In focUS


the modern world seek to speed up the process, causing the appearance of accelerate aging. Undue aging is multifaceted in causation, with collagen breakdown, inadequate hydration and free radical damage at its heart.


collagen is a protein that gives skin its strength, structure and durability. healthy collagen levels give skin a plump and smooth appearance but, from around the mid 30s, our production of collagen slows down. the result? Skin loses firmness and brings about the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. this process can be accelerated however when our collagen is attacked by reactive 'free radicals'.


free radicals are unstable and reactive particles created by UV rays, pollution, smoking, alcohol and even our own metabolism. free radicals are so reactive that they seek out and 'steal' electrons from healthy cells in order to regain their stability. the cost is oxidative stress and damage, a process that, in the case of collagen, contributes to its breakdown¹.


We need some free radicals for proper immune function, but issues arise when they are in excess. this is common in the industrialised world with elevated pollution from industry and vehicles. antioxidants (of which pycnogenol is a key example) can help counteract and 'quench' free radicals, rendering them harmless.


adequate hydration is a staple health tip promoted by dermatologists and beauty magazines alike, and for good reason. When skin is well hydrated, it's plump in appearance and more elastic. Elastic skin is resilient, so it's important to help avoid oil and sebum (the substance used to lubricate the skin) becoming trapped in pores, which could inevitably lead to skin blemishes. Dietary fluids work in part with the dermal substance hyaluronic acid, a natural component of skin which 'holds' water. fluids such as water and herbal teas are ideal, but diuretic liquids such as coffee and alcohol are more likely to contribute to dehydration and make the issue worse.


circulation is vital for healthy skin, but, when it's constricted, the aging


process can be further accelerated. limited circulation to the skin limits delivery of oxygen rich blood to the skin cells and the removal of waste products from the cells. the result is the accelerated breakdown of collagen and elastin. cigarette smoke is a key example of an environmental substance that can constrict blood flow to the skin.


natUral Extract from UnSpoIlED forEStS pycnogenol®


(french maritime pine


bark) is extracted from the bark of pine trees grown exclusively in les landes de gascogne, an unspoiled forest in southwest france. the bark is not subject to seasonal variations, unlike other plants, which makes it an ideal botanical source for supplementation.


pycnogenol contains a range of beneficial compounds including proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids that exert many skin protective effects in research, such as antioxidant capabilities, as well as encouraging the production of key dermal substances.


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