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Golden anti-age duo: SPF and antioxidant

Did you know that using a sunscreen does not fully protect your skin? A good SPF reduces the risk of skin cancer and can prevent premature aging of the skin. But to really protect your skin optimally, the combination of an antioxidant and an SPF is known as the “golden anti-age duo. Why? We tell you in detail in this blog! 

What does an SPF and antioxidant do for your skin? 

Before we go into the details, we want to take you through the effect of an SPF in combination with an antioxidant. Many people think that an SPF alone is enough to protect the skin, but nothing could be further from the truth. The combination of an SPF and an antioxidant is not called the “golden anti-age duo” for nothing. Here’s why:

  • Delaying skin aging; 
  • Prevention of skin discoloration; 
  • Prevention of skin cancer; 
  • Healthy and vital skin; 
  • Protection against sun damage; 
  • Restoring the skin barrier. 

The effect of an SPF 

An SPF is only effective against ultraviolet rays. These are UVA and UVB, which make up only 7% of the total solar spectrum. Some of our favorites are: SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial Defense, Mineral Radiance UV Defense, Dermaceutic Tinted Sun Ceutic and the Universkin Nexultra Z. Unfortunately, an SPF does not protect (adequately) against infrared radiation, which actually causes 54% of total solar energy to reach the skin. Infrared radiation consists of the following three types:

  • IRA: provides the deepest penetration of the skin; 
  • IRB: reaches the superficial layers of the skin; 
  • IRC: reflects on the surface of the skin. 

What effect does this have on the skin? 

IRA penetrates the skin deeper than UVA and UVB radiation, causing free radicals to damage skin cells. These skin cells are responsible for the condition and structure of the skin. This causes loss of collagen and elasticity, accelerating skin aging and making wrinkles more visible.

Air pollution, inflammation and cell damage 

Cell damage comes not only from UV and infrared radiation, but also from air pollution, long-term stress and inflammation. Air pollution can damage the skin beyond repair, think smog, exhaust fumes central heating and smoke. This can contribute to the development of pigmentation, premature skin aging or even skin cancer. These environmental influences are almost always invisible, but present in our ambient air.

How can you prevent this damage to your skin? 

These so-called free radicals are aggressive substances that can damage cells in adverse cases. To properly protect your skin from free radicals, you must be able to neutralize them and you can catch them away by applying an antioxidant to the skin. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is one such powerful antioxidant. Of course, you can also get vitamin C from dietary supplements and certain food groups, but it is most effective to apply it directly to the right place to protect the skin just right. This in fact ensures that the skin becomes healthy and resilient to external influences. Good examples are: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic, Phloretin, Silymarin CF, Dermaceutic Serum C25 en Tri Vita C30.

Complete protection = antioxidant + sun protection 

So with an SPF, you can prevent damage from light. Other damage from infrared radiation, inflammation in the skin and air pollution can be eliminated with an antioxidant. Which with that duo, you prevent collagen from being damaged and keep skin cells better and healthier! And that’s why this is called the Golden anti-age duo! 

  

Want to get informed about the best SPF and antioxidant for your skin type? Then contact our clinic or visit us in Rotterdam or Nijmegen! 

07-01-2022
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