SKIN CARE 89
Nourish and protect skin with natural tocotrienols
n Dr Koh Yew Ming - KLK OLEO, Malaysia
Air pollution is prematurely ageing the faces of people living in cities by accelerating wrinkles and age spots. The effects of toxic fumes on skin are being seen in both western cities as well as in more visibly polluted Asian cities. In some cases, it may be the primary cause of ageing. The pollution is also being linked to worsening skin conditions such as eczema and hives. The scientific discoveries are now driving the world’s biggest cosmetics companies to search for solutions, including medicine-like compounds that directly block the biological damage. But doctors have warned some common skin care routines such as scrubs may worsen the damage from air pollution. Fortunately, there are a number of safe and natural substances that have been scientifically proven to effectively help counteract, and in some cases, even help reverse the physical signs of skin ageing such as hyperpigmentation. One of these is vitamin E tocotrienols. Taking vitamin E tocotrienols capsules is considered good for many health benefits. But very few are aware that this nutrient is amazing for skin health when it is directly applied on the affected areas. Tocotrienols are the more potent form of vitamin E found in vegetable oils (especially palm oil), wheat germ, barley, saw
November 2017
palmetto, and certain types of nuts and grains. They are used in cosmetics and personal care products because of its antioxidant properties, and are found primarily as a skin conditioning agent and UV absorber. The vitamin E tocotrienols protect cell membranes, active enzyme sites, and DNA from free radical damage, and therefore can prevent signs of ageing including wrinkles and fine lines, better than the other well-known half, tocopherol. Tocotrienol’s distinct chemical structure confers its unique biochemical properties which are responsible for providing skin health benefits beyond antioxidation. This distinct chemical structure enables its cellular uptake in biological systems 70 times higher than α-tocopherol.1 Tocotrienol has excellent antioxidation activity in cells of up to 60 times higher than α-tocopherol2
which confers its ability to
help protect the skin from ageing as well as UV-induced damage caused by constant and prolonged sun exposure.
Tocotrienols inhibit skin pigmentation
Studies have found that tocotrienols are effective in inhibiting the production of skin pigment, melanin, which indicates a potential means for skin lightening. Our research has showed that tocotrienols are
able to promote skin lightening through inhibition of tyrosinase, the key enzyme protein in melanin biosynthesis. According to the study, tocotrienols reduce melanin production by 55% through tyrosinase inhibition which is up to 150 times more potent than other skin lightening agents such as kojic acid.3
Interestingly, when
tocotrienols are combined with kojic acid, the two compounds work in synergy and reinforce the inhibition of enzyme tyrosinase activity.3
Another key finding of the study
concerns the production of skin melanin induced by ultraviolet light (UVB). The process takes place through a mechanism that is different from the normal activation of enzyme tyrosinase. Researchers found that, among palm vitamin E members, γ- and δ-tocotrienols possess the highest sun protection factor (SPF) and are effective in blocking the biosynthesis of melanin arising from exposure to UVB.3
The findings
of this study are highly promising in the bid for skin lightening effect of tocotrienols.
Tocotrienols possess potent photoprotective effects Tocotrienols have been shown to provide photoprotective effects to UV irradiation and the skin reactions (redness, swelling and itchiness) are significantly reduced.
PERSONAL CARE ASIA PACIFIC
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