Skin Care
The Anti-Aging Ingredient More Important Than SunscreenSPF is your best weapon in the fight against aging, right? Maybe not. New research shows that antioxidants in skin care may have sunscreen beat |
The "new" kind of sun damage This is the scary part. You probably know about UVA and UVB rays -- and that broad-spectrum sunscreens will protect you against both. UVA rays are responsible for aging -- they break down collagen and elastin, which keep your skin looking young. UVB rays damage the top layers of your skin, causing sunburn. Both UVA and UVB can cause skin cancer.
However, these rays make up only seven percent of solar energy. What makes up the rest? We won't bore you with a scientific dissertation about wavelengths, but here's what you need to know: New research shows that infrared radiation A (IRA) penetrates even deeper into the skin than UVA rays. It damages skin cells and causes sun damage and aging by producing free radicals, as explained in the paper, "Sun Protection Should Protect From IRA Damage," (May 2012) by Nadim Shaath, PhD, chairman of chemistry at SUNY-Purchase. Why are free radicals so bad?
SEE NEXT PAGE: What are free radicals?
However, these rays make up only seven percent of solar energy. What makes up the rest? We won't bore you with a scientific dissertation about wavelengths, but here's what you need to know: New research shows that infrared radiation A (IRA) penetrates even deeper into the skin than UVA rays. It damages skin cells and causes sun damage and aging by producing free radicals, as explained in the paper, "Sun Protection Should Protect From IRA Damage," (May 2012) by Nadim Shaath, PhD, chairman of chemistry at SUNY-Purchase. Why are free radicals so bad?
SEE NEXT PAGE: What are free radicals?
Older comments
VEry informative article. And an interesting read. Definitely will have to start getting more antioxidants in my routine!!!
by smiley412 Friday, April 26, 2013 at 07:38AM Report as inappropriate
I loved the info in this story! In my 20's, I never paid attention to agin products or skin protection. After spending my first year in my 30's, that's my greatest concern. I've realized that products with health benefits/damage protection have greater beauty benefits!
by RaeRotondo Friday, March 22, 2013 at 06:42AM Report as inappropriate
Wonderful read. I keep seeing and hearing great things about this SkinCeuticals serum.. Maybe I'll fork over the money and give it a go?
by storrevillas Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 05:52AM Report as inappropriate
Good article very informative
by lil_show5 Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 09:26AM Report as inappropriate
One of the most well researched and written article on the website. Very informative. To summarize, antioxidants help PREVENT damage in the first place, but do not REMOVE damage. Great :)
by hiddenexpose Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 01:17PM Report as inappropriate
This is a great article and really found the info very helpful. Not that I am 37 I am really starting to think about this more and more and been sort of lost on all the stuff out there. Thank you
by Alana_Danes Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 03:01PM Report as inappropriate
Superb explanation of antioxidants and free radicals! Absolutely necessary.
by GigiSD Friday, February 15, 2013 at 10:34PM Report as inappropriate
amazing information!
by rayshaviolet Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 01:46PM Report as inappropriate
good info
by aishak55 Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 03:08PM Report as inappropriate
Shame antioxidants don't do anything for existing wrinkles but seems like they're still a necessary part of a daily routine. I got some good updates from this article
by EricaC123 Thursday, November 29, 2012 at 04:09AM Report as inappropriate