Skin ageing: Tartaric acid to diminish the appearance of fine lines.

Fine lines are small wrinkles that primarily appear on the face (around the eyes, on the forehead, at the corners of the lips). These are shallow folds that form on the skin's surface, typically due to repeated movements over time. Even though some people naturally have fine lines, they are often associated with visible signs of ageing.

The emergence of fine lines is commonly caused by ageing. However, there are several other factors that explain the presence of fine lines on the face: poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle (consumption of tobacco, alcohol, coffee, excessive fatty substances...), stress, pollution, and prolonged exposure to the sun which dries the skin and accelerates skin ageing.

Skin ageing results in a slowdown in cellular renewal. Thanks to the mechanical action of tartaric acid dermabrasion, the superficial layer of the skin is renewed.

Furthermore, tartaric acid protects the skin from free radicals. As a reminder, throughout life, the body's cells are subjected to oxidative stress. This refers to the generation of highly reactive molecules known as free radicals. These are omnipresent in the process of cellular metabolism and can interact with DNA, proteins, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the body, causing DNA chain breaks and oxidative damage such as lipid metabolism oxidation. All these alterations are the main internal causes of ageing and skin dysfunctions.

This observation has led to a revolution in the cosmetic field; for several years, the focus has been on antioxidants and free radical scavengers in the prevention and management of skin ageing. In this regard, tartaric acid is a very interesting compound. Chemically, this compound has free hydroxyl functions carried by aromatic cycles. These capture free radicals and stabilise them by providing the missing electron. They are thus less reactive and no longer degrade the compounds present at the level of skin cells.