of molecule oxidation, endogenous antioxidant consumption/
inactivation, and premature aging. A decrease in skin endogenous antioxidant levels occurs in response to environmental
factors (ie, solar radiation, pollution, smoking, diet, stress, inactivity, etc.) and endogenous factors (ie, normal metabolism, mitochondria-produced free radicals, chronological aging, activation of immune responses, inflammation
, etc.)61,64,65 Either way, a net decrease in the skin antioxidant capacity flips the physiological balance toward premature or accelerated aging.
An interesting function of antioxidants is linked to their potential capacity to restore or prevent skin damage in a timeline-independent manner. Therefore, topical antioxidants can repair past damage of the skin by controlling undergoing chronic inflammation, promoting ECM repair, decreasing activation
of melanocytes, and controlling angiogenesis. They can neutralize present damage by preventing (or minimizing) RMS formation before these molecules can negatively impact ECM production or levels, immune and inflammatory responses, pigment formation, and cellular viability. Finally, they can prevent
future skin damage by preserving skin homeostasis and by increasing antioxidant capacity in the skin.
Current Practice
Currently, sunscreens play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin by providing “broad spectrum†protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation (UVA 320 nm - 400 nm and UVB 290 nm - 320 nm). To achieve protection against these wavelengths, sunscreens combine several ingredients (chemical or physical actives) such as PABA derivatives, salicylates,
cinnamates (octylmethoxycinnamate and cinoxate), benzophenones (such as oxybenzone and sulisobenzone), avobenzone,
titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.
However, current “broad spectrum†protection does not protect
human skin from 94.2% of solar radiation (comprised of
