A new broad spectrum anti-ageing active

While the sequence of the ageing process is noticeable in all of the body’s organs, it manifests very visibly in the skin. As skin is the communication link between individuals, maintaining a young appearance and healthy skin while preventing the evident damages of ageing are key requirements for a good relationship with ourselves and the others.

All skin structures, functions and appearance are impaired by age. The oxidative stress is considered of primary importance in driving the ageing process. Substantial evidence exists to support that ageing is associated with the consequences of free radical damage induced by various reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS include the superoxide, the hydroxyl radicals and other activated forms of oxygen, such as hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen. Ageing is associated with changes in the molecular structure of DNA, proteins, lipids, and prostaglandins – all markers of oxidative stress. The accumulation of these molecular changes, constitutes the basis of cell ageing. Although the skin possesses extremely efficient antioxidant activities, during ageing the ROS levels rise and antioxidant controls decline. Moreover, other pathways complicate the picture, including spontaneous errors in cell reproduction, protein modifications, etc.1

The thickness of dermis decreases with age and this evolution is accompanied by a decrease in the number of mast cells and fibroblasts, and a reduction in the generation of collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid. Reduced levels of collagen and elastin, and their impaired organisation take place primarily because of the decreased protein synthesis, affecting types I and III collagen in the dermis, with contemporary higher breakdown rate of the extracellular matrix proteins. The depletion of protein in the dermis contributes to the development of wrinkles and loss of elasticity.2