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Skin ageing is a continuous war in our bodies between ‘good’ antioxidants and ‘bad’ free radicals.
Antioxidants in skin care can be the champions of anti-ageing results, PROVIDED the antioxidants are present at ACTIVE levels.
Research shows antioxidants can slow ageing in the cells of the epidermis by seeing off free radicals that cause oxidative stress.
Free radicals age skin
The word anti-oxidant describes its action against a natural ageing process called oxidative stress which is an imbalance of free radicals in the body.
Free radicals are highly reactive atoms or molecules because they contain an unpaired single electron. In order to become paired and steady they wrest an electron from other molecules and in the process causes a toxic effect chain reaction through all parts of skin cells. This result can be inflammation, painful skin sensations and parched, damaged skin.
Causes and effects of free radicals and oxidative stress
Free radicals develop through self-induced lifestyle habits such as smoking, overeating processed food and outside effects such as pollution and over exposure to the sun. UV is a major cause of oxidative damage and ageing.
The results of free radical damage and oxidative stress are increased visible signs of skin ageing - collagen breakdown, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles.
How antioxidants fight free radical damage
Enter antioxidants, skin care’s knights in shining armour.
The antioxidant ‘knights’ are molecules that donate an electron to a free radical and so stabilize it. This stops the destructive chain reaction of oxidative stress and saves the fair maiden, in this case our skin, from destructive ageing processes.
We can't stop our bodies and skin from ageing but strong and effective antioxidants help to resist ageing's effects.
We can make our own antioxidants but not enough to neutralise all harmful effects of external factors. And our body's antioxidant supplies reduce as we age, exposing us even more to free radical ravages.
Antioxidant-rich whole plant remedies
Dietary intake of antioxidants plus topical application works; supported by research.
Skin, like the rest of the body, thrives on antioxidant-rich whole plants and fruits rather than processed foods.
It figures then that freshly made, whole herb extracts restore skin far more than can factory-made plant extract powders and pre-made liquids, or synthesised molecules and microbially fermented substances.
How effective antioxidants benefit skin
A twice daily skin routine rich in plant derived antioxidants will:
- Reduce skin ageing
- Prevent and reverse sun damage
- Even out skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation
- Calm and repair stressed skin
Natural not synthetic antioxidants in skin care
Our bodies counteract free radical damage by producing antioxidants and enzymes such as vitamins E, coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinol) and glutathione. (The human body cannot product vitamin C, only dogs can do this.)
There are many claims that applying synthetic versions of these antioxidants will help your skin to fight free radicals.
At Simplicité we absolutely disagree. We would NEVER use these synthetic 'antioxidants' in our products. Substances that are produced in highly polluting Chinese factories simply can't come close to giving the wonderful visible results for which we are known.
For more than 32 years our products have chewed up and spat out free radicals, bestowed beautiful, glowing skin. That's because we make them with concentrated amounts of highest quality antioxidants that we source directly and only from Nature's finest plant extracts.
By contrast, even simple vitamin C aka ascorbic acid that's added to so many skin products is made in these factories.
Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone) is another synthetic 'antioxidant whose origins have nothing at all to do with Nature or plants. It's variously produced in labs or factories - by microbial fermentation, extracted from biological tissues or chemical synthesis.
Plant sources are the only way for Simplicité. We use only medicinal grade or wild gathered.
Skin care's rich plant antioxidants
Naturopath and herbalist David Lyons believes plant derived, synergistic combinations are what give visible, lasting results for skin.
Simplicité's medicinal grade plant extracts contain high levels of desirable actives, including antioxidants. Just a few of these are Citral, Flavonoids, Limonene, Phenolics, Linalool, Thymol, Eugenol, Carvacrol and Monoterpenes.
Linalool - an active antioxidant that slows ageing - is found in essential oils of Rose Geranium, Vietnamese Rosewood (both used throughout the range) and Cinnamon and Birch Leaf (One Step Exfoliating Cleanser).
The cinnamon powdered bark we use is the 'true' cinnamon from Sri Lanka, from the C. zeylanicum tree. Cinnamon bark from the C. zeylanicum tree demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity compared to the leaves and flowers.
Vitamin C - freshly made from Rosehip husk with accompanying bioflavonoids that factory-made ascorbic acid does not contain. (Results Lift Gel, Rosehip and Lavender Complexion Refiner). David makes his own strong fresh extracts because he found the commercial versions of natural vitamin C eg Kakadu Plum, too diluted and weak to give his desired results.
Vitamin E - Simplicité’s vitamin E potent antioxidants are high volume use of high activity Wheatgerm, Rice Bran, Avocado and Sesame that contain some of the highest levels of squalene in nature.
Studies show squalene appears to be critical in reducing free radical oxidative damage to the skin (used throughout range). Squalene is not to be confused with squalane, the hydrogenated form. Human skin doesn’t benefit from hydrogenated compounds, but they are far cheaper to produce.
Antioxidants Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Isoflavones and Anthocyanins in Rose Petals are responsible for their antimicrobial effects (used throughout range).
Concentrated serum antioxidants repair skin
The Simplicité range of Serum Concentrates contain the highest possible concentrations of plant antioxidants. They are on another level to the types of serums otherwise available.
Two of these:
RL (Reduce Lines) Serum - is perfect for those who want effective anti-ageing solutions that don't contain synthetic acids. Its highly effective medicinal grade plant concentrates reduce the appearance of lines and photo-ageing.
Antioxidant Plant Serum - contains 14 antioxidant concentrates that repair sun damage, restore tone and elasticity,
Antioxidant-rich exfoliating
Simplicité exfoliators are rich in antioxidants. One Step Exoliating Cleanser contains 16 times the antioxidant content of the same amount of crushed blueberries.Top of the list of One Step Exfoliating Cleanser's antioxidant-rich plant ingredients is Cinnamon from Sri Lanka. Cinnamon was the clear winner in a study that ranked the antioxidant activity of 26 spices.
It is highly recommended to use antioxidant-rich One Step Exfoliating Cleanser every evening. This regular, gentle clearing of pores and removing of dead skin cells helps absorption of serums, oils and creams and most efficient penetration of key antioxidants.
How to use
- Every night after cleansing, massage One Step Exfoliating Cleanser over face, neck and decolletage for a few minutes to clear pores and gently exfoliate dead cells.
- Place1-2 pumps Serum Concentrate in palm of hand.
- Add a few sprays of Hydrating Floral Toning Lotion, rub hands together and massage serum over face, neck and decolletage.
- Repeat these two steps with Face Oil.
- Follow with Nutritive Moisturiser and Results Lift Gel.
References:
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2018/1454936/
Antioxidants from plants protect against skin photoaging
https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=IT2002060920
Antioxidant activity of Olive Leaf polyphenolshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21756533/
Antioxidant properties of blueberry polyphenols
shorturl.at/noxUV
Squalene reduces free radical oxidative damage to skin.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16190627/
Cinnamon highest antioxidant content of 25 spice extracts.
