By Doctor Alexa ANDRE
In summer, the sun’s rays beautify our skin and we quickly forget how damaging they can be. The skin can suffer from invisible damage due to chlorine, seawater, a disrupted sleep pattern and heat. After the holidays, we need to “repair” the damage caused by this period of carelessness.
What are the consequences of a hot summer?
After the summer, the epidermis is dehydrated and dull-looking, even with a tan. The thickening of the stratum corneum (outer layer of the epidermis), caused by prolonged sun exposure, can lead to the appearance of “rebound” imperfections but, above all, this overexposure to the sun’s rays increases free radicals, oxidative stress and modifies the skin’s collagen and elastin fibres and hyaluronic acid levels. As a result, the skin becomes marked (wrinkles, pigmentation marks) and the damage caused to the deep cells leads to a loss of firmness and sagging skin.
What is the best solution for actinic aging?
Resveratrol needs no introduction. This polyphenol – which is found in fruits such as blackberries, grapes and Japanese knotweed – is currently one of the most powerful actives for preventing and correcting the signs of skin aging.
- This super antioxidant stimulates SOD activity (Superoxide Dismutase), the most effective enzyme for fighting free radicals.
- It reduces chronic cell inflammation, a fundamental element of actinic aging.
- It lengthens the cells’ lifespan by stimulating the synthesis of sirtuins (proteins for cell longevity).
- It prevents the breakdown of collagen (MMP-9 inhibition) and fights glycation. It stops the collagen fibres from becoming too rigid.
- It stimulates the production of collagen I and III.
- It is effective against pigmentation marks thanks to its action on the tyrosinase enzyme.
To fully benefit from these properties, resveratrol must be used in its purest form and with a sufficiently-high concentration. Resveratrol is available in two isomeric forms: cis and trans. Trans-resveratrol is the bioactive form, the one which can be absorbed by the skin and therefore the most reparative form. Its antioxidant action is seven times stronger than cis-resveratrol.
What should I choose to combat intrinsic aging?
SVR Laboratories have chosen to combine resveratrol – now more powerful than ever − with a duo of hyaluronic acids with different molecular weights, to exploit their complementary actions.
Hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight (1.5 to 2 Million Daltons) stays at the skin’s surface, where its hygroscopic ability enables it to stabilise water in the tissues, restoring the skin’s plump, rounded appearance, something we all want to get back after the summer. It mechanically fills surface wrinkles.
Hyaluronic acid with a medium molecular weight (100 to 300,000 Daltons) acts on the signs of aging that are deep inside the skin. It stimulates tissue repair by attaching itself to specific receptors on the fibroblasts’ surface. It also strengthens the skin’s defences by stimulating the beta-defensins.
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By Doctor Alexa ANDRE
Alexa ANDRE is a Doctor of Pharmacy. She graduated from the François Rabelais Faculty in Tours and for the last 19 years has specialised in Scientific Innovations and Communications for the Dermocosmetics Industry. She is currently director of Scientific Communications and Medical Relations at SVR Laboratories.
For more informations, go visit the website of SVR: www.labo-svr.com
