Radical
Defense Serum

Full description:

A highly potent antioxidant serum which provides protection against all types of damaging free radicals (ROS, RNS and RCS).  The synergistic formulation of natural antioxidants helps to prevent and repair visible signs of premature skin ageing.

Three types of free radicals continually act to harm skin cells:

• Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
• Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS)
• Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS)

Whilst traditional anti-ageing products protect the skin only from oxidative damage (ROS), Radical Anti-Ageing Serum offers additional protection and repair against all types of free radical ageing (ROS, RNS and RCS) - providing continuous antioxidant protection against all environmental aggression and preventing the visible signs of skin ageing.

Key Benefits:

• Provides an essential protective barrier against ALL three types of harmful free radicals on the skin, shielding against environmental damage and stress
• Dramatically improves the texture and appearance of the skin by protecting, repairing, firming and smoothing, while stimulating the production of collagen and elastin
• A patented liposome delivery system ensures maximum penetration of the ultra concentrated active ingredients through the epidermis

Zelens Skin Science Radical Defence Serum is formulated using a unique combination of antioxidants, moisturizers and plant extracts which work synergistically to keep your skin looking healthy and vibrant.

The synergistic ingredient formulation was selected using multiple studies of the efficacy of herbal medicine, particularly Kampo medicine (Japanese traditional herbal medicine), and on the basis of scientific evidence from traditional medicine, skin pharmacology and biology.

The light, refreshing fragrance of the creams comes from Shiso extract, a Japanese mint leaf known to possess antioxidant, anti inflammatory and anti allergenic properties

Each individual ingredient is encapsulated using advanced liposome technology that ensures the active ingredients of the serum can penetrate the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin, which is impermeable for most substances) and is released at a controlled rate, targeting specific molecules.

For optimal results we recommend using the Radical Defence Serum in combination with the Zelens Skin Science DNA Protection Day Cream and Zelens Skin Science Cellular Reconstruction Night Cream. This regimen provides an effective and complete 24-hour anti-ageing treatment to protect the skin from environmental damage and helps to combat premature ageing.

Active Ingredients:

ACETYL HEXAPEPTIDE-8

Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline®) has superior anti- wrinkle efficacy: Studies demonstrate that it is highly effective at not only inhibiting wrinkle development, but also in reducing existing wrinkle depth.

ARNICA EXTRACT

Arnica extract is derived from a Swiss alpine mountain flower. Research has shown that constituents of Arnica provide its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions. Arnica also has anti-irritant and excellent anti-bruising properties.

CENTELLA ASIATICA

Centella Asiatica is a herb with powerful antioxidant activity. It exerts a balancing effect on connective tissue by stimulating the production of collagen and improving the function of the skin’s connective tissue. Centella promotes wound healing and stimulates the formation of lipids and proteins necessary for healthy skin.

CERAMIDES

Ceramides are the key molecules for maintaining skin moisture and integrity of skin barrier. They play an important role in regular renewal and restoring of the skin cells.

DIMETHYLMETHOXY CHROMANOL

Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol has double scavenging action - targeting both RNS and ROS. It is a potent inhibitor of peroxynitrite-induced lipid peroxidation. It also prevents skin cell damage induced by peroxynitrite and nitric oxide formation.

ECHINACEA EXTRACT

Echinacea (commonly called the Purple coneflowers) is a plant rich in chemical compounds called phenols which are known to possess immunostimulant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea also stimulates wound healing.

EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenols extracted from green tea. It has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. EGCG has photoprotective effects against UV radiation. It accelerates skin cells’ reactivation and rejuvenation and promotes wound healing.

GINKGO BILOBA

Ginkgo Biloba has purported anti-ageing effects on skin. Ginkgo is rich in bioflavonoids which have free radical scavenging properties and anti-inflammatory activities. It considerably improves circulation resulting in increased oxygen utilisation. Gingko also has an enhancing effect on the synthesis of collagen by stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts.

GLUCOSAMINE

Glucosamine has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Glucosamine can slow down melanin production in skin cells leading to significant reduction in the amount and appearance of hyperpigmentation and age spots. Glucosamine stimulates hyaluronic acid synthesis and thus accelerates wound healing, improves skin hydration, and decreases the appearance of wrinkles.

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the skin, containing excellent emollient and moisturizing properties. In the case of extreme dryness or natural ageing, Hyaluronate is required to restore these vital qualities of the skin.

HYDROLYZED SESAME PROTEIN

Hydrolyzed Sesame Protein has an anti-wrinkle effect. It also has hydrating properties.

HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN

Hydrolyzed Soy Protein is a naturally derived protein of vegetable origin (produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis of soya flour). It is made up of complex combinations of amino acids. Soy proteins improve moisture of the skin and replenish lipid barrier. By stimulating cell regeneration soy proteins minimize the appearance of wrinkles and skin roughness.

HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (also known as Phyto peptide), is a naturally derived, hydrolyzed wheat protein. It has excellent moisture balancing and forming properties that work synergistically to improve skin hydration, retain the moisture and improve its overall appearance.

LECITHIN

Lecithin is a naturally occurring phospholipid derived from soy beans. It is used as an emollient to make the skin feel softer and smoother.

MENTHA PIPERITA EXTRACT

Mentha extract has strong anti-oxidative and radical- scavenging properties. It also demonstrates anti- bacterial and anti-fungal action. Mentha extract can improve the comfort of irritated and sensitive skin by acting on the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and by stimulating the production molecules involved in the control of pain.

PERILLA EXTRACT (SHISO)

Perilla is widely known as a Japanese mint. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-allergenic properties.

PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL

Avocado oil is an antioxidant, rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2 and D, lecithin, potassium as well as Vitamin E. It is also contains sterolins (also called plant steroids) which are responsible for its emollient and hydrating effect. It is ideal ingredient for dry, dehydrated or mature skin.

SQUALANE

Squalane is extracted from olives. It is a versatile antioxidant and plays a major role in preventing skin ageing. Squalane protects skin’s natural defensive system and is a part of its detoxifying system. It enhances energy metabolism at the cellular level by increasing oxygen production. Squalane can also speed wound healing and improve skin hydration.

TRIPEPTIDE-1

Tripeptide-1 is a peptide containing three amino acids – glycine, histidine and lysine. It specifically targets skin cell renewal through the regeneration of collagen.

TREHALOSE

Trehalose is a disaccharide (sugar). It is used as a moisturizer.

UBIQUINONE

Ubiquinone, otherwise known as Coenzyme Q10, is a cellular antioxidant present in most tissues of the body, including the skin. It strongly controls oxidative DNA damage in the cells. Coenzyme Q10 also blocks the degradation of collagen, resulting in wrinkle reduction.

VITAMIN A

Vitamin A, necessary for skin repair and regeneration, is included in the form of retinol. It acts as a natural exfoliant that helps rid the skin of dead cells. It significantly increases collagen, skin thickness and elasticity – and also acts as an antioxidant.

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) has numerous roles in the maintenance of skin health. It is a strong antioxidant able to neutralise free radicals, has anti-inflammatory effects, and also helps to regenerate Vitamin E (the combination of Vitamin C and Vitamin E provides significant protection against oxidative damage in the skin). Additionally Vitamin C increases the production of collagen as well as decreases the production of matrix metalloproteinase, an enzyme which enhances dermal collagen degradation, resulting in significant reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

Research & Testing:

Radical Defence Serum has been proven to neutralise all three types of free radicals (ROS, RNS and RCS).

Environmental aggressors such as UV rays, pollution, alcohol and cigarette smoke cause the formation of hazardous free radicals which attack and cause oxidative damage to cellular molecules of the skin: proteins, lipids and DNA.

There are three types of free radicals which attack the skin and induce the skin damage that leads to premature skin ageing: Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) and Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS). Radical Defence Serum contains a complex of 12 different antioxidants, which help to provide strong protection against oxidative damage of the skin.

Efficacy against ROS

The efficacy of the Radical Defence Serum to fight Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) is demonstrated by a test examining the vitality of the human cells exposed to a damaging molecule – hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cell viability (expressed in %) was determined by the MTT method, (measured by the activity of the enzyme mitochondrial dehydrogenase). The test showed that when the Serum concentration was increased, there was an increase in the vitality of the cells, see Chart 1.

Efficacy against RNS

The efficacy of Radical Defence Serum to eliminate Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) was demonstrated by measuring the degradation of the amino-acid called tyrosine to 3-nitrotyrosine induced by peroxynitrite. In a control sample over 90% of tyrosine was destroyed – whilst an application of the Radical Defence Serum significantly protected tyrosine from peroxynitrate, with only 8% of tyrosine being destroyed. The results show that the Radical Defence Serum significantly reduces the production of 3-nitrotyrosine and therefore provides excellent protection against damaging RNS, see Chart 2.

Efficacy against RCS

Reactive carbonyl species (RCS) cause glycation (the adding of sugar molecules to a protein) that initiates a chain of chemical reactions leading to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). This reaction, (the Maillard reaction), causes irreversible damage of two major skin proteins – collagen and elastin, leading to premature skin ageing.

Zelens Dermatological tested the anti-glycation potential of Radical Defence Serum in-vitro and found that the addition of the Serum inhibited the formation of AGEs by 92%. When the same test is performed using only Vitamin C, there was only a 21% inhibition of AGEs, see Chart 3.

In-vitro evaluation of the stimulation of the fibroblast (cells that produce collagen in the skin) proliferation showed that Radical Defence Serum causes a 20% increase in cell proliferation after 48 hours and 22% after 72 hours, see Chart 4.

This also showed a 15% increase in collagen production.

Together these two tests clearly demonstrate that by the neutralisation of RCS, Radical Defence Serum significantly protects collagen and boosts its production.