It was the year 2014 and the first articles on the subject appeared in some magazines and fashion blogs in European. It was information without content, because there is no point in talking when do you don’t know what you’re talking about, like many things you can find on Google. At Per Purr, we like to understand what we are talking about and, most of all, try things ourselves before recommending them, because it is very easy to get lost in the game of telephone that is the internet.
I started researching scientific articles that could explain the physiology behind the interaction between infrared rays and our beloved skin. The first articles I read were practically copy & pasted. I found experts contradicting themselves within the same article. Other research said things like: infrared spectroscopy and magnetic measurements, {Gd38 (ClO4) 6}, encapsulating six ClO4? ions?
Is this information, which is almost impossible to decipher actually useful to us? What I do know how to do is use something, test it on my skin and evaluate it.
I asked my husband, who is a doctor (and partner of Per Purr), what he thought about infrared rays. He, somewhat incredulous, went to research this hot topic. He asked two pathological anatomists (people who are cooped up in the laboratory behind the microscope looking at cells) at his hospital about this great “discovery” and he told me that they both laughed at him, telling him that it wasn’t like that.
Here's what he explained to me:
“Infrared rays are thermal energy, that light and pleasant heat that we feel when the sun touches our skin. They are not only emitted by the sun, but also by dryers, laptops, heaters, hot sidewalks and many other things. Humans also emit these rays, which are captured by night vision cameras.”
The sun’s ray is subdivided into 3 parts: UV rays - 7%, IRA rays - 54% and visible rays - 39%, which may be the next target of skin science. But what interests us here is whether these rays have the capacity to damage our skin.
Visible rays are what allow us to see the rainbow and are stronger than infrared rays. Why did a ray that is weaker than the rainbow become the new villain? Maybe because it is not as beautiful? Who would have the courage to accuse the beautiful rainbow of causing skin cancer?
So how can infrared rays cause damage? The answer is very simple: free radicals.
Almost all sunscreens available on the market today block half of the free radicals formed in the skin, as these free radicals cause premature aging and skin disease.
What is a free radical, anyway? It's a highly reactive short-lived molecule derived from oxygen. Oxygen is present everywhere and, as its name suggests, it oxidizes like rust on metal, what we call "oxidative stress.”
Okay, but if IRA rays produce these free radicals in the skin, wouldn’t dryers, fires and the heat of human contact also cause cancer?
No! After all, there are other factors in this equation, such as intensity and length of exposure, which leads us to understand that just by sitting very close to a heater we can feel the burn. There are two important issues to clarify about this infrared issue:
It seems that the villain has been unmasked and is not as ugly as we thought.
Excessively produced free radicals cause damage and must be combated. By whom? By antioxidants. A good sunscreen should have good antioxidants that act on ultraviolet rays. This is the key point: free radicals are not a new discovery and, in the fight for protection against UV and IRA rays, the antidote is exactly the same.
Even using the latest nanoparticle technology in sunscreens, pathological biopsies (the study of microscopic tissue structures) show that the horny layer of the skin allows less than 1% of all topical agents we apply to the skin to penetrate.
IRA protectors are sold as a protective barrier. But is an antioxidant a barrier? In theory, maybe. UV protectors are chemical and physical filters, true walls, inorganic particles (like titanium dioxide) that absorb and/or reflect the rays, which is not the same as an antioxidant.
Last but not least, we have a chemical factor that reveals the whole picture: vitamin C is still the top antioxidant and must be present with at least 10% of the formula in a very acidic environment (pH 2.5 - 3.5) for its effect to be stable and efficient.
This new topical application (UVA + UVB + IRA protectors) that is invading the market has created high expectations but with low amounts of antioxidants. Today, it is still NOT possible to find a sunscreen containing 10% to 20% vitamin C because UV filters already make up 20% of the formula, and these require a basic pH (6-7), which would destroy the vitamin C.
What can be done to further protect the skin?
It’s very simple: instead of trying to find just one ideal product, it is better to use two real products. For example, use a serum with a minimum of 10% vitamin C and then an SPF 50 sunscreen.
With all this complex information, there is no need to frown upon infrared protectors, because even though they are not as effective as they claim to be, they are still a little more complete than normal ones that only contain ultraviolet protectors. The difference is especially noticeable when there is overexposure to the sun (such as during a beach holiday or a poolside weekend).
It seems obvious, but remember that "You are what you eat, you are what your skin eats, your skin is what you eat."
Some people are not satisfied with the results of the expensive creams they apply every day on their skin, but the problem is not exactly what you apply directly onto your skin, but which nutrients your skin absorbs from food. There are certain foods you should include in your "skin diet”. Below are some suggestions that are rich in antioxidants and other important elements.
AÇAÍ - A hearty bowl of Açaí with banana and granola it is one of the most powerful antioxidants. Açai fights free radicals, "superoxides" and contains fatty acids that protect cell functions. But açaí is high in calories, so eat it in moderation, unless you are very athletic. Açaí and orange juice is a great snack, a little lower in calories and high in vitamin C. Açaí can also be consumed in capsules, which won’t affect your figure.
BETA CAROTENE - This component is found in yellow and orange foods, like carrots, squash, beets, papaya and mango, among others, and leafy greens, and is very important for skin maintenance. It helps protect your skin from the sun, while maintaining a beautiful and long-lasting tan. In the case of supplements, you should use them only with a medical prescription, as it is a fat-soluble vitamin (vitamin A), which is stored in the body for a long time. It is better to include these colorful nutrients in your diet without resorting to supplements.
VITAMIN C – This is the most well-known antioxidant vitamin. Renowned for its regenerative power for aging skin, it is also responsible for the production of collagen. It also helps to repair sun-damaged skin. There is nothing like a good orange juice in the morning! We bet you think that consuming supplements containing ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) may help your skin, but we're sorry, you’re wrong! In this case, topical treatments yield better results for your skin than food supplements. It is important that you continue consuming products with vitamin C daily to help boost your immune system. Good immune system = good skin!
VITAMIN E - Very useful for maintaining skin, hair, nails and other tissue in general. But be careful, high doses of Vitamin E may increase the chance of developing arthritis. It is better to consume it by including it in your diet! It is present in vegetables, oleaginous oils (almond, chestnut, etc.) and leafy greens.
GOJI - Is the new trend, but it has been used in Eastern cultures for thousands of years, being the No. 1 food in Chinese medicine. It is a type of berry that has anti-aging properties. It is rich in Vitamin C and minerals such as zinc and iron, which help control hormones. Studies show that this fruit is 50 times more nutritious than an orange. It also tastes good! It is sweet and sour at the same time. You can eat it dried or hydrated, in juices, teas, etc. You can also add it to breakfast cereal, put it in salads or eat it as a snack (mixed with other nuts).
POMEGRANATE - Contains ellagic acid and anthocyanin, which fight against premature aging of subcutaneous cells. In addition, it is rich in phytoestrogens, which are structures that mimic the effect of estrogen on the metabolism, reducing those annoying symptoms of PMS and menopause. It is rich in Vitamin C. You can also add it to salads and meals, in addition to juices.
GRAPES and grape products - Resveratrol, a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, is found mainly in the skins of red grapes. Laboratory tests show that if you consume it frequently, resveratrol prolongs your lifespan. To avoid drinking wine every day, we recommend using a supplement!
BRAZIL NUT- It is rich in selenium, which in addition to being an antioxidant, strengthens the immune system and helps regulate the levels thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). To reap all the benefits of this mineral, you need just 3 Brazil nuts a day. Make a mix with Goji, almonds and other nuts. Selenium can also be found in fish and red meat.
Remember: the more varied and colorful your plate is, the more varied the nutrients that you consume. People who eat well usually have nice and luminous skin.
If you want to notice a difference in your health, and therefore, in your skin, follow a diet rich in healthy fats like fish, nuts, olive oil, and make sure you are well hydrated, drinking plenty of water daily, that's the most effective beauty remedy out there.
Could it be easier?
We all know how important it is to consume vitamin C. Ever since we were kids, we’ve been told to eat oranges to avoid catching a cold in the winter.
You probably know that this vitamin boosts your immune system, but what you may not know is that it is also very beneficial for your skin. In order to reap the benefits, you don’t have to consume foods rich in vitamin C, you can apply it directly to your skin.
Vitamin C does wonders, it is "your best ally" in fighting wrinkles. Its antioxidant properties help your skin fight free radicals, which damage collagen and elastin your body produces.
As the years go by, the first signs of premature aging appear on our skin: the famous wrinkles! Our skin naturally has a good reserve of ascorbic acid, which is derived from vitamin C.
When our skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays, this reserve decreases, in turn producing less collagen. For this reason it is so important to use cosmetics containing vitamin C, which is also extremely powerful in treating sun spots.
10 Functions of vitamin C in the body:
1- It facilitates the absorption of other vitamins and minerals;
2- It is an antioxidant and reduces inflammation caused by external agents like the sun;
3- It prevents degenerative diseases like arteriosclerosis.
4- It reduces the risk of heart disease.
5- It strengthens the immune system.
6- It supports the development of teeth and gums, bones, cartilage and iron absorption.
7- It helps repair and create cognitive tissue.
8- It is extremely important in producing collagen for scarring, hence its importance for the skin.
9- It fights against free radicals.
10- It treats sun spots.
When and how do I apply vitamin C?
Ideally, use a vitamin C serum before moisturizer and sunscreen every day in the morning. There are several brands on the market for different skin types and different prices. If you are a DIY person, we have a recipe for you to make your own serum.
Ingredients: Vitamin C powder and distilled water
Recipe: use a container, preferably glass. Dissolve 10 g of vitamin C in 100 ml of distilled water.
Store your miracle mixture in the refrigerator. Use daily for best results.
