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We already know that Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) is one of the most widely used skin care ingredients. We also understand its effectiveness against wrinkles and fine lines. Vitamin C is essential for the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein of the skin. And it helps reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. If properly delivered into skin cells, there is a good chance to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture. So, how do we decipher which products are the best to deliver this powerful antioxidant?

I have been testing skin care products since my early 20s. I can tell you that, while Vitamin C does possess scientifically validated merits for wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation, not all products on the market are created equal. I rely heavily on research, as well as results. So it’s no surprise that I am a big fan of Dr. Beckman and his Theraderm products. Not only are his products backed by substantial research, but they truly deliver. Dr. Beckman’s Theraderm OPC serum contains the natural ingredient from the French Maritime Pine Bark, Oligomeric ProanthoCyanidans. These complex, large molecules have many more active chemical receptor sites that are active free radical trappers. He explains,

OPC is the most potent free radical scavenger known. It is, in fact, 20 times more effective as a free radical scavenger than Vitamin C. This is true whether the comparison is from either one taken orally or applied topically.

An interesting research study done in Finland compared living skin cell cultures exposed to UV rays. Unprotected skin cell cultures subjected to UV rays did not survive. Skin cell cultures that were coated with a layer of OPC (only 1/2 the concentration of Theraderm RS-OPC) on the surface and then exposed to the same UV dosage resulted in not one skin cell killed. More remarkable, is the fact that there was no evidence of any DNA damage for four succeeding daughter cell populations.

When applied topically to the skin, the water-based Theraderm OPC serum easily penetrates to the dermal layer of skin and functions as a free radical scavenger to protect skin tissue from harmful injury from UVA or UVB rays. It assists and enhances Vitamin C during collagen synthesis. In addition, are three other active ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, Aloe Vera and Alpha Lipoic Acid. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant (attracts water to itself) that, in this case, attracts 1000 times its own weight. Lipoic Acid causes the redness of rosacea to subside with daily use. It also has been shown to reduce redness from post laser skin in just a few days.

While I have experienced incredible results with Theraderm OPC, I want to be clear that there are other fantastic products on the market rich in antioxidants, such as Vitamin C. My other recommendations include SkinMedica - three excellent products are TNS Recovery Complex, Vitamin C Complex and Dermal Repair Cream; and SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic. The key is finding an antioxidant that immediately penetrates the skin and cannot be diluted by other products. For more information, please feel free to contact me.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 9:51 pm and is filed under skin care, beauty. You can follow responses via my RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your site.