Exploring Nature's Anti-Photoaging Potentials

Photograph: The New England Journal of Medicine

This photo that many of us have seen before tells the story of “William McElligott”, a truck driver, and serves as a vivid example of "photo aging." After 28 years of driving, the left side of McElligott's face, exposed to the sun through the truck's window, shows deep lines, pits, and sagging skin.

In contrast, the shaded right side appears much smoother and younger.

This image is a powerful reminder of how exposure to the sun can accelerate the aging process. Prolonged exposure can lead to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. Therefore, it's essential to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays to maintain a youthful appearance.

We can see similar example in studies with identical twins:

Lets check this out, it's pretty interesting!

Even in identical twins — those who are genetically identical— there can be big differences in how their skin ages.

That just goes to show how important environmental factors really are. Such as sun exposure, smoking, or dealing with stress can all play a part in how skin ages.

And get this: studies with identical twins have shown another cool thing about how the sun affects our skin.

Twins who've had different levels of sun exposure throughout their lives can actually look like they're different ages!

It's wild, right? But it makes sense when you think about how much the sun can mess with skin. There are some photos from these studies that'll really make you think. They help you see just how much of a difference the sun can make on how our skin ages.

Two twins show contrasting photoaging effects from UV exposure in a study by Dr. Antell.

The twin on the right one ( Twin B ) is known to spend about **10 hours** more in the sun. [7]

As we age, our skin undergoes changes. One of the most common, yet least understood, terms in skincare is "photoaging." This blog will explore what photoaging is and provide tips on how to prevent or reduce its effects using plant actives.

So, What is Photoaging?

Photoaging is a skin aging process that occurs as a result of the long-term effects of exposure to sunlight ( ultraviolet radiation ) [1]. UV light exposure in particular triggers the rapid formation and accumulation of ROS (Reactive oxygen species ) in skin cells, which can lead to photoaging.

This process is characterized by wrinkles, fine lines, pigmentation changes and loss of elasticity.

Preventing photoaging primarily involves protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. This can be achieved by:

Of Course Using Sunscreen !

But also…

Reducing Effects of Photoaging with Special Plant Actives🌿

Plants generate several secondary metabolites to defend themselves from UV radiation, which can help protect the human skin from photoaging.

Phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids found in diverse plant species can protect the skin by inhibiting UV penetration, decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress, and altering survival signaling pathways. [2]

Many plant-derived antioxidants, when applied to the skin, can help cleanse and protect UV-exposed skin from free radicals.

Some Examples:

Green Tea

Green tea is rich in polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [2]

Rich in antioxidants, green tea can help protect skin against damage from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging.

Aloe Vera

Known for its soothing properties, aloe vera can help reduce inflammation and promote skin healing. It's also rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which can help improve skin's firmness and keep it hydrated.

Rosemary Extract

Rosemary contains various antioxidants, including rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid, which can help neutralize free radicals generated by UV radiation.

Free radicals contribute to oxidative stress in the skin, leading to premature aging. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, slowing down skin aging.

Grape

Grape seeds and peels form a rich source of polyphenols, including quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid and oligomeric proanthocyanidins..

Containing powerful antioxidants, including vitamin E and flavonoids, grapeseed oil can help protect skin from damaging free radicals. It's also known to promote skin elasticity and softness.

Recently, it has been found that also grape extracts from the stems, a part of the grape tree rich in phenolic compounds, are able to reduce UVB-induced oxidative damage. [ 3 ]

We Designed It For You

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We Designed It For You 〰️

In the process of photoaging, cellular damage occurs in skin exposed to the sun. This damage can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin and the formation of wrinkles.

AHAs, together with mild exfoliation, can reduce the effects of photoaging by increasing collagen production and promoting skin regeneration.

❗However, when using AHAs, use caution since the skin may become more sensitive to both AHAs and the sun.❗

Please using AHA-containing products, be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly !

Let's keep going..

The effects of AHAs on photoaging caused by the sun's harmful rays have also been a topic of recent discussion and publications !

Recently review, use of AHAs as agents to rejuvenate photo-aged skin has been at the forefront. They are promote remodeling and accelerate the exfoliation of the epidermis, thus exerting their therapeutic effects.[5]

Another study investigated histological differences in skin treated with glycolic, lactic, citric and acetic acids ( AHA’s ) once daily for 6 weeks. As a result, Collagen I and procollagen I increased in the upper dermis after treatment with glycolic, lactic and citric acid [4].

Expression of collagen 1 and procollagen 1 in human skin undergoing long-term AHA treatment. The skin specimens were taken 2 weeks after the final treatment [4].

If you need AHAs to counteract the effects of photoaging caused by the harmful effects of sunlight, Active Bioworks offers the best one:

WE DESIGNED IT FOR YOU

〰️

WE DESIGNED IT FOR YOU 〰️

GLOWACTIVE AHA

BENEFITS

Make skin balanced, clear and radiant
Increased brightness in skin with AHAs
Buff away dead skin cells
Promotes cell growth and retardation of cellular differentiation
Younger-looking skin
Promote skin elasticity.

CONCLUSION

As a result, the positive effects of plant actives and extracts on photoaging are increasingly being researched and recognized. Thanks to their antioxidant properties, these natural ingredients can protect the skin against UV radiation, reduce inflammation and promote skin regeneration.

Moreover, actives with exfoliating action, such as AHAs, can also reduce signs of photoaging by regulating and regenerating the outer layer of the skin.

Therefore, incorporating ingredients such as plant actives and AHAs into skincare routines can be an important step towards youthful and healthy skin.

However, the importance of sun protection should not be underestimated. A proper skincare routine can provide the most effective results when combined with sun protection measures.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for any questions and more:

hello@activebioworks.com

Have a nice and “beautiful” day!

References

(1) Rabe, Jessica H., et al. "Photoaging: mechanisms and repair." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 55.1 (2006): 1-19.

(2) Petruk, Ganna, et al. "Antioxidants from plants protect against skin photoaging." Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity 2018 (2018).

(3) D. N. Che, G. H. Xie, B. O. Cho, J. Y. Shin, H. J. Kang, and S. I. Jang, “Protective effects of grape stem extract against UVB-induced damage in C57BL mice skin,” Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, vol. 173, pp. 551–559, 2017.

(4) Yamamoto, Yuki, et al. "Effects of alpha‐hydroxy acids on the human skin of Japanese subjects: the rationale for chemical peeling." The Journal of dermatology 33.1 (2006): 16-22.

(5) Wong, Qi Yi Ambrose, and Fook Tim Chew. "Defining skin aging and its risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Scientific reports 11.1 (2021): 22075.

(6) Farkas, J. P., Pessa, J. E., Hubbard, B., & Rohrich, R. J. (2013). The Science and Theory behind Facial Aging. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 1(1), 1–8.

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