Skin Care Strategies; How to Keep Looking Young

3DG Inhibitors: Researchers at Dynamis Therapeutics, Inc. have discovered that 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG), a toxic compound that forms from the breakdown of glucose (sugar) unexpectedly improved the texture of skin in rats. Further investigation revealed human skin also accumulates toxic levels of 3DG. Scientists developed a 3DG inhibitor and combined it with FDA-approved skin care ingredients to produce an anti-aging skin cream. Researchers say the cream smoothes the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving the texture of "crepe-paper" skin. Dynamis Therapeutics hopes to have the cream on the market by the end of the year.

United States Patent Application: 0050159383

Use Anti-oxidants: Antioxidants play an important role that protects skin against ROS-induced injury. Such antioxidants include Ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, selenium, butylated hydroxytoluene and dietary antioxidants

A growing body of evidence suggets that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by UV radiation, resulting in oxidative damage to cellular components such as mitochondria as well as nuclear DNA damages, which in turn accelerates aging and contributes to skin cancers. The term ROS includes free radicals such as the superoxide anion (O2-) and the hydroxyl radical (OH), as well as nonradical intermediates wuch as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and singlet oxygen (1O2). There is growing evidence that UVA irradiation induces the generation of superoxide anion both in mitochondra and extramitochondrial sites. The O2- is very toxic to tissue and may also result in the generation of ROS of other types

A means to prevent skin deterioration or ageing is to provide compounds scavenging free radicals. EP 0 761 214 for example discloses singlet oxygen quenchers comprising aniline derivative and difufuyl amine derivative, which are reported to reduce the oxidative stress to the skin.

EGCG, a constituent of green tea, has been reported to be a powerful antioxidant protecting skin cells against photodamage.

Use Sunscreen Components: It is important to just sunscreen every day. In fact, incidental sun exposure can account for more of our lifetime exposure to ultraviolet rays than at the beach. Make sure you are covered with at least SPF15.

Sunscreen typically contain chemical agents such as certain benzophenones, dibenzylmethanes or substituted paraaminobenzoates (i.e., compounds absorbing ultraviolet radiation, so that it cannot penetrate the skin). Some of the ocmpounds used for this purpose have shown to lack sufficient light stability and may even become toxic over long term application. In addition, they must stay continuously on the surface of the skin at the time of exposure to be effective.

Don't Use Harsh Cleanser Detergents: Avoid detergents which contain lauryl sulfate and other harsh detergents (those that often leave a lot of suds) which can strip your skin of vital lipids. Instead, look for cleansers that contain fatty acids and fortify your skin, like Dove's ProAge prdocuts or even simple cold cream.

Use Retinols: Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is the only topical ingredient proven not only to prevent wrinkles but to minimize the one you already have. Over the counter creams that contain retinol include Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Night Cream and SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0. Dermatologists can prescribe higher concentration prescription retinoid like Retin-A, Differin or Tazorac.