Selected Skin Care

Facial Skin Condition Treatments

Adult Acne
Broken Capillaries
Dark Circles
Deep Wrinkles
Dry Skin
Fine Lines
Hyperpigmentation
Open Pores
Puffy Eyes
Rosacea
Sagging Skin

Body Skin Condition Treatments

Aging Hands
Breast Firming
Cellulite
Hands
Keratosis Pilaris
Lips
Scalp Acne
Stretch Marks

Skin Care Ingredients

Clinical Procedures and Topics

Four Fundamentals
Absurd Skin Care
Aging Skin
Antioxidants
Botox
Enzyme Exfoliation
Free Radical Damage
French Skin Care
Glycolic Acid
Idebenone
Irrational Fears
Klein Becker
Oxidative Stress
Paula Begoun
Perricone
Restylane
Skin Structure
Stem Cells
Healthy Skin Barrier Function
Smoking
Sun Protection
Topical Vitamin C/Firming
Choices and Needs
Strivectin
Additional clinical skincare topics.

Free radicals created by ultraviolet rays, particularly UVA, are a predominant cause of skin aging [see the La Roche-Posay UV Exposure Video], however chemical reactions involving sugar molecules and collagen and elastin are another considerable cause of aging [related: La Roche-Posay Aging Skin Video].

With time, sugar molecules within the skin become rigid in the spaces between fibres. These rigid bridges are known as Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) and stiffen the entire skin structure, rendering it more brittle.

Pollution and stress are other causes behind damage which reduces the quality of the skin's renewal.

La Roche-Posay Derm AOX contains predominantly Pycnogenol and Carnosine (novel, known effective agents rarely used in skin care), together with Vitamin C, with the aim of reducing both free radical damage and glycation.

Pycnogenol is a proprietary standardised maritime pine bark extract containing caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, fumaric acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, protocateuhuic acid and taxifolin. This bioflavonoid antioxidant has been shown to reduce skin inflammation, immunosuppression and carcinogenesis induced by ultraviolet exposure, and to prolong the skin activity of the major antioxidants Vitamin C and E. Pycnogenol also reduces collagenase and elastase, allowing for higher levels of skin collagen and elastin to be maintained, and can help reduce hyperpigmentation. Pycnogenol can be used systemically as well as topically and is also found in Cotz SPF 65 and in the Vitamedica HA+A Program. This antioxidant is one of the most (if not the most) potent, with various assays demonstrating potency 20-50 times that of Vitamins C and E, and single applications lasting up to three days. Combining systemic (oral) and topical Pycnogenol is more protective than either alone.

Carnosine is a dipeptide stemming from diabetes research which addresses oxidation, inflammation and glycation of tissues by AGEs (advanced glycation end-products). Naturally present in muscle tissue, Carnosine attracts sugar molecules to itself, sparing collagen and elastin from degradation. Research in the 80s demonstrated that applying Carnosine to wounds accelerated healing by reacting with damaged proteins, which may be a sign of aging cells. According to La Roche-Posay, their implementation of Carnosine prevents 1/3rd of glycation from occurring.

Vitamin C is an established antioxidant which, particularly in 20% concentrations and low pH, can markedly decrease fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C can also help reduce hyperpigmentation. Despite these latent benefits, the majority of users persist with using oxidized Vitamin C products. The concentration of Vitamin C used in La Roche-Posay Derm AOX is not stated, however is likely to be around 5%. This product does have a yellow/brown colour, however it is due to the bioflavonoids in pycnogenol. La Roche-Posay Derm AOX is a serum and may be applied underneath higher concentration oxidation-resistant Vitamin C products such as Biomedic Potent-C, Alyria Antioxidant Capsules, Citrix CRS and Obagi Professional-C.

Vitamin E (tocopherol) enhances and reinforces Vitamin C's antioxidant roles.

In combination, these three antioxidants greatly improve the flexibility, elasticity, photoprotection and general appearance of the skin.

La Roche-Posay Derm AOX is applied in the morning before other serums/antioxidants, moisturizers and or sunscreen (see selected sunscreens). For oilier or shine-prone skin, La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra-Light Fluid and Biomedic Facial Shield SPF 30 work especially well with this product's texture.

For enhanced effects on mature or aging skin, combine the use of La Roche-Posay Derm AOX with La Roche-Posay Redermic (for greater firmness) and La Roche-Posay Substiane (for greater volume).

La Roche-Posay Derm AOX is paraben-free.

Please note: La Roche-Posay is available for online order by customers in the United States only. This product ships from the United States. Australian patients can re-order select La Roche-Posay products for delivery within Australia in accordance with their prescription by logging in.

Sunlight and environmental pollution including ozone deplete the skin's reservoir of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).

In humans Vitamin C can be obtained solely from food sources however increasing intake (through diet or supplementation) does not appreciably enhance skin's levels for extended periods of time.

In light of Vitamin C's status as a potent endogenous antioxidant, attempts at raising skin's levels by topical means seem valid.

Topical Vitamin C formulas have been shown to prevent sun damage (photodamage) by reducing sunburn cells and limiting erythema due to UVA and UVB irradiation.

The addition of Vitamin C to a sunscreen (Citrix Antioxidant Sunscreen) has been shown to provide enhanced protection against UVA and UVB when compared to the same sunscreen without Vitamin C.

In addition, applying Vitamin C to skin solely after sun exposure has been shown to reduce erythema by scavenging ultraviolet-induced reactive oxygen species (free radicals).

Vitamin C is effective in its reduced form (ascorbic acid) but not its oxidized form (comprising dehydro-l-ascorbate and diketogulonic acid).

Reduced Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is also required for collagen synthesis and the addition of Vitamin C increases collagen production in human skin fibroblasts.

Application of topical Vitamin C reduces the appearance of wrinkles, although one study has shown it may reduce elastin production. Clinically, there is overall net gain in its use.

Some patients experience minimal discomfort in the form of transient stinging and erythema which usually resolves with ongoing use. Lower concentrations are less likely to cause side effects than higher concentrations which penetrate more deeply.

Skin care should make simultaneous use of at least two antioxidants to prevent the production of free radicals. Vitamin E and ubiquinone or possibly idebenone appear to be the most appropriate partners to Vitamin C as it is these antioxidants which have been shown to be most consistently depleted by ultraviolet exposure.

Alyria Antioxidant Capsules are formulated with 10% Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, Vitamin E and BHT: . The product's stable and waterless formula provides greater and less-irritating Vitamin C activity than many Vitamin C serums, and the relatively high concentration of active ingredients combined with a simple, inert base produces greater penetration and superior results.

Alyria Antioxidant Capsules are among the most stable Vitamin C formulas available. Alternatives are Citrix CRS and SkinMedica Vitamin C Complex. These can replace Biomedic Potent-C, which appears to have been discontinued.

Apply one Alyria Antioxidant Capsule to cleansed face and neck each morning before a sunscreen. Antioxidant-enhanced sunscreens include Citrix Sunscreen, Replenix Sunscreen and Alyria Sunscreen. The same steps may be repeated for the hands and chest.

The form of Vitamin C is the same (ascorbic acid) however the concentration and ingredients are different.

Cellex-C Vitamin C is likely a better antioxidant than Neostrata Vitamin C, providing it is fresh (clear and not oxidized).

Alyria Antioxidant Capsules contain Vitamins C and E which in most instances is a preferable combination compared to the Vitamin C alone used in Neostrata Vitamin C Capsules.

An anhydrous and stable, effective yet cost-effective Vitamin C and E combination antioxidant treatment containing the highest available concentration of both Vitamins.

PCA pHaze 16+ C-Strength 20% is ideal for use on the face, hands and chest in normal to dry skin types. If skin is sensitive (or first time Vitamin C users), use PCA pHaze 16 C-Strength 15% first to acclimate skin.

PCA pHaze 16+ C-Strength 20% also contains skin barrier repair ingredients (BMX Complex), Cholecalciferol and Bisabolol.

Professional mattifying gel.

• OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel