How Science has Warned and Helped Us

Scientists and physicists have been publishing the well documented effect of climate change, and how it came about because of our decreased ozone layer. The effects have been far reaching and varying, but one of the predicted effects is an increase in UV radiation in many areas. Increased UV exposure causes in the very least sunburns, and after a time, it causes photo aging, then finally, skin cancer which takes the from of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. But, wait… that’s not all. Because of the depletion of the ozone layer, free radicals enter into our daily lives. “When oxygen molecules are involved in chemical reactions, they usually lose one of their electrons. Similarly, these molecules referred to as free-radicals, deprive neighboring molecules of electrons. This will set off the chain reaction known as free-radical damage.” Free radicals move attached to our beloved oxygen and on to other, more heinous gasses such as carbon monoxide, and exhaust fumes. All of these components add to the daily stress and strain that we put our skin through.

Free radicals diminish your skin’s structural support, causing fine lines and wrinkles. They decrease the elasticity, resilience, and suppleness, by constantly bombarding the collagen in your skin, and causing the collagen to loose its luster. Later on, wrinkles, liver spots, and poor skin condition such as flaking and pealing. The collagen gives your skin its natural glow and eliminates fine lines. However, because of aging, UV rays, pollution and illness, the collagen in your skin falls short.

Enter natures wonder drug, Vitamin C. Vitamin C is found in several different sources, but none as common as citrus fruits and vegetables. But, the type of Vitamin C that I’m talking about is the topical vitamin C, to reduce the fine lines and skin blemishes. It synthesizes collagen, is a potent anti-oxidant, and blocks environmental damage. There are several types of vitamin C compounds, such as water based for naturally oily skin, and oil based for drier skin. The thickening compounds range from the man made ascorbyl palmitate, magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, and tetrasubstituted lipophilic acerbates to the natural vegetable glycerin. The active ingredient is l-ascorbic acid, which is 5%-15% of the finished product. L-ascorbic acid that has been made, instead of distilled, tend to be more stable, more affordable and less irritating. Furthermore, some of the derivatives may even be as effective in boosting skin collagen synthesis. What they don’t do though is have the naturally exfoliating substance of the more potent, less saturated l-ascorbic acid. And, on top of it all, it is amazingly easy to make, and there are several websites that show you how.

For all the evils that there are out in the world, it is nice to know that not everything out there will be to get you, and cause you to get older. There are still solutions within the problems themselves and we as human beings have been adapting to the changes since the beginning of time.