Our products help to protect the skin, this physical barrier that shields against the external environment. With age, the skin barrier, the superficial layer of the epidermis covered by a protective film known as the hydrolipidic film, degrades due to, among other things, a slowdown in cell renewal. The epidermis thins and water evaporates increasingly. The deterioration of the skin barrier gradually leads to a loss of firmness, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and pigmentation spots.
To say that we can prevent skin ageing would be a falsehood. However, we can reduce some of its signs. How? By providing the skin with hydrating actives, such as hyaluronic acid. Already present in our bodies, with half of it residing in the dermis, it ensures skin hydration so that it remains supple and smooth. Its content decreases over the years, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the surface of the epidermis. The application of hyaluronic acid topically forms a film on the skin surface that limits dehydration. Moreover, certain actives have the ability to stimulate the natural production of hyaluronic acid, like polyglutamic acid.
Other factors impair the barrier function, such as UV rays, pollution or even tobacco. By generating an overproduction of free radicals, compounds that degrade collagen and elastin fibres, the lipids of cell membranes and sometimes even DNA, the skin ages more quickly. This phenomenon is called oxidative stress. To counter these effects, we offer treatments rich in antioxidant active ingredients, such as the vitamin C which neutralises free radicals.
Skin ageing is also characterised by a decrease in melanin-producing cells, a pigment that protects against UV rays. Every ten years, their concentration decreases by 8 to 10%. With age, the skin becomes more vulnerable. Additionally, the morphology and distribution of these cells change, causing irregular pigmentation on the surface of the epidermis: the well-known pigmentation spots. Several active ingredients are effective in reducing them, such as tranexamic acid or alpha-arbutin.
One of the key manifestations of skin ageing involves the alteration of the structure of fibroblasts, which then synthesise less collagen. However, this fibrous protein is essential for skin firmness. The retinol, the collagen and certain peptides are active ingredients capable of stimulating collagen production at the dermis level in order to prevent skin sagging.
As you will have understood, we do not prevent skin ageing, we can only reduce some of its signs. Within our LAB range, two new treatments have been introduced to prevent and/or support skin ageing.