Scientists from the University of Bath found a key ingredient is missing from all sunscreens and anti-aging creams, and our skin will be far better protected from the damaging effects of the sun once this rich source of natural photoprotection has been added.
The research is published in the journal Antioxidants and was conducted by Dr. Charareh Pourzand et al.
The missing ingredient is a class of antioxidant (a type of stable molecule) commonly found in nature.
Experiments have shown that these antioxidant molecules eliminate excess iron in cells, thereby helping cells maintain a healthy level of free radicals (a type of unstable molecule).
Free radicals and free iron are strongly linked to skin damage.
The antioxidant compounds identified have the ability to protect the skin against both chronological aging (the natural decline in skin texture that comes with age) and sun-mediated aging (known as photoaging).
Though the body needs iron to function properly, too much (or too little) is harmful or even deadly to our cells.
To protect themselves from this danger, our cells have a well-developed system for adjusting excess iron when it builds up, thereby bringing it back to a state of balance (known as homeostasis).
In the presence of sunlight, however, this balance is disrupted, leading to skin damage, aging, and sometimes cancer.
Chronological aging also contributes to iron levels falling out of balance, especially in women after menopause, meaning older people (and particularly older women) are more vulnerable than others to the ravaging effects of the sun.
As a result of their findings, the team urges skin-care manufacturers to look more closely at opportunities to include iron-trapping extracts in their products.
A number of iron-trapping natural extracts have already been identified (these include several classes of botanical, fungal, and marine-based compounds, among them, extracts from certain vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, bark, and flowers).
The team says more research is needed before any of these compounds are fit for commercial purposes.
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