top of page
  • Black Instagram Icon
  • Black Facebook Icon
Search

An Antioxidant That Does It All

Updated: Aug 23, 2021



Antioxidant vs. Skincare

With the amounts of exposure our skin gets to everything around us, antioxidants have become a vital part of any effective routine. Antioxidants can shield the skin from damage by limiting free radical production and harm from the sun. Not only do they protect the skin, they can also fight signs of aging and calm any skin irritations. Overall, antioxidants are defenders against all types of dangers to the skin.


Common Sources of Antioxidants

The following antioxidants are the most common amongst skincare products. We have outlined where they are derived from:


  • Vitamin A

    • Vitamin A can either come in the form of retinoids (from animal sources and includes retinol) or carotenoids (from plants and includes beta-carotene

    • Great for anti-aging and improving skin tone

  • Vitamin C

    • Vitamin C is often found in skincare as ascorbic acid/L-ascorbic acid

    • A favorite for boosting collagen and fading dark spots, can also fight against sun damage

  • Vitamin E

    • Vitamin E is a popular antioxidant found in moisturizers, creams and lotions (especially for dry skin)

    • A must have for aiding the skin’s healing process, adding hydration, and stabilizing other antioxidants

  • Vitamin B3

    • Commonly referred to as niacinamide, Vitamin B3 helps improve the skin’s texture and tone

    • By reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and any hyperpigmentation, Vitamin B3 can calm and soothe the skin while strengthening the skin’s barrier

  • Green Tea

    • Covered in detail within this article, green tea or EGCG has multiple benefits for the skin such as anti-inflammatory properties, hydration, and protection

  • Resveratrol (red grapes or red wine)

    • Derived from red grapes or wine, resveratrol is sometimes known as the “longevity molecule” due to its anti-aging properties

    • With anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal features, resveratrol can fight aging and skin-irritations



What is EGCG?:

Just like how a warm cup of green tea can soothe the mind and body, the benefits of using green tea in skincare are abundant as well and can provide benefits from the inside out. While EGCG might not mean anything to you upon first glance, chances are you might already be applying it to your skin. Short for epigallocatechin gallate, EGCG is the most potent extract and active ingredient found within green tea. It can be used in a variety of products and mixtures as it works well with other ingredients. An increasingly used ingredient in the skincare industry, EGCG provides antioxidants, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it popular amongst product formulators. The polyphenols found in green tea can also help with sun-damage.


Tracing the Benefits of Green Tea:

A botanical derived from the leaves and buds of camellia sinensis, a tea plant, the advantages of green tea don’t just stop at antioxidants and soothing properties. The caffeine and tannins in green tea also reduce the size of blood vessels and puffiness. Both protective and remedial, green tea can provide the following wonders to your skin:


  • Shielding: We mention the antioxidants properties of EGCG above, but EGCG can truly act as a shield for the skin. Protecting the skin against free radicals caused by environmental stressors, EGCG tackles both UV radiation and pollution.

  • Anti-aging & healing: By reducing and preventing signs of sun damage, EGCG defends the skin against roughness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation while also promoting skin elasticity. EGCG can also help with skin scarring and may also be able to shrink keloid scars by over 40%.

  • Soothing: The anti-inflammatory properties of EGCG can keep puffiness at bay and is a hero ingredient for those that suffer from eczema, dandruff, or psoriasis. EGCG can also minimize excess sebum, making it a great option for acne-fighting skincare. EGCG has also been proven to aid the skin in moisture and hydration retention.


Adding EGCG To Your Routine:

Not only is green tea great for daily consumption, it can also be safely used on the skin on a daily basis. Suitable for all skin types, EGCG is most effective when used with other antioxidants such as Vitamin C or C. When antioxidants are used together, the effects are enhanced and can penetrate the skin at a deeper level. Hyaluronic acid is also a popular combination option for EGCG.


Some of the most popular types or products that include EGCG are cleansers, serums, moisturizers/eye creams, and face masks.





Reference/Research Articles:

 

Meet Plant-Based Squalane

Updated: Aug 23, 2021

Featuring Ingredient by WAN Cosmetics

Tags:

  • Ingredient Insights

  • Squalane vs. Squalene

  • Olive Squalane

  • Rice Bran Squalane


Why Squalane?

Effective and natural ingredients form the backbone of WAN Cosmetics and are an integral part of our core formulation philosophy. Today, we’re introducing one of our beloved ingredients - squalane and explaining its role in modern skincare.


Squalane is a natural substance that our body produces and plays a key role in how our skin stays hydrated, soft, and youthful. As we age, as early as in our 20s, the amount of squalane naturally produced by our bodies decreases, and can result in dry, dull, or textured skin over time. To help replenish our skin’s natural supply, the cosmetics and skincare industry has long searched for sources that are vegan, sustainable, and cruelty-free. With the rising popularity of squalane, has the industry found a winner?


Not only does squalane address the ethical and environmental methods of previous sources, it is extremely compatible with all skin types and is a go-to ingredient for regenerative and anti-aging formulations.


For those of us who are nervous about oils and how they might affect our skin, not to worry! This plant-based alternative is highly moisturizing and hydrates without feeling heavy or greasy. Squalane penetrates the skin at an astonishing rate of 2mm/second and is an extraordinary ingredient for the skin, hair, and body.





Squalene vs. Squalane

Human skin, covering the entire outer surface of the body, is the largest organ and is constantly exposed to sunlight stress, including ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. The skin tissue is rich in lipids, which are thought to be vulnerable to oxidative stress from sunlight.


Squalene is a structurally unique triterpene compound that is one of the main components (approx. 13%) of skin surface lipids. It was so named because it was first isolated from shark liver oil, which contains large quantities and is considered its richest source. It is transported in serum generally in association with very low density lipoproteins and is distributed ubiquitously in human tissues, with the greatest concentration in the skin.


Squalene is widely distributed in nature, with reasonable amounts found in olive oil, palm oil, wheat-germ oil, amaranth oil, and rice bran oil. Squalene as the main component of skin surface polyunsaturated lipids, shows some advantages for the skin as an emollient and antioxidant, and for hydration and its antitumor activities. Human sebum contains 13% squalene as one of its major constituents.


Squalane is a saturated derivative of squalene and also found in the same sources mentioned above. In contrast to squalene, due to the complete saturation of squalane, it is not subject to auto-oxidation. Squalene was traditionally sourced from the livers of sharks, with approximately 3000 required to produce one ton of squalane. Due to environmental concerns, other sources such as olive oil, rice and sugar cane have been commercialized as alternatives in more sustainable fashion.


Benefits You Can Feel:

Squalane truly offers the whole package and is beneficial to the skin, hair, and nails. Highlights of its benefits include:


  • Aids the absorption of other ingredients

  • Odorless, lightweight, and quick-absorbing

  • Suitable for all skin types, non-comedogenic, and low risk of irritation

  • Boosts cell regeneration and oxygenation

  • Fights aging, reduces appearance of wrinkles, and helps prevent UV damage to skin

  • Highly stable against oxidation

  • Includes antibacterial properties

  • Sustainable and environmentally friendly sourcing methods


Where can squalane be found in WAN Cosmetics:

At WAN Cosmetics, we believe in building our products around ingredients that our skin will love. Our products aim to maximize results with minimal effort and we want you to feel great about anything you apply to your skin.


Our Glisten Essence Face Oil, which incorporates olive squalane & rice bran oil, is formulated with natural ingredients sourced from across the world. Deeply nourishing and full of antioxidants, experience the incredible effects of olive & rice bran squalane by incorporating our Glisten Essence Face Oil into your daily skincare routine, or add two drops into your makeup for an ethereal glow that you’ll satisfy.


Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31619649/





bottom of page