Plant-Derived Antioxidants: Significance in Skin Health and the Ageing Process

Abstract

Natural substances have traditionally been used in skin care for centuries. There is now an ongoing search for new natural bioactives that not only promote skin health but also protect the skin against various harmful factors, including ultraviolet radiation and free radicals. Free radicals, by disrupting defence and restoration mechanisms, significantly contribute to skin damage and accelerate ageing. Natural compounds present in plants exhibit antioxidant properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals. The increased interest in plant chemistry is linked to the growing interest in plant materials as natural antioxidants. This review focuses on aromatic and medicinal plants as a source of antioxidant substances, such as polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and macromolecules (including polysaccharides and peptides) as well as components of essential oils, and their role in skin health and the ageing process.

Ultraviolet Light Protection: Is It Really Enough?

“…These naturals would be bi-functional ingredients capable of modulating iron and redox homeostasis and provide skin benefits, including environmental protection and anti-aging. Although, out of the scopes of this review, it should be mentioned that several natural compounds, including polyphenols, anthocyanins, and flavonoids, have shown to protect the skin against outdoor stressors, as reviewed elsewhere [202]. Sunscreen with AOX blend for VL [178] Diet and Micronutrients [131] Topical AOX- [42,146,147] • Vitamins C, E • Ferulic acid…”

Enhancing Bioactive Components of Euryale ferox with Lactobacillus curvatus to Reduce H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Skin Fibroblasts

“…After sample treatment, our experimental findings revealed a significant drop in MMP-1 enzyme content and expression levels along with an increase in COL-I. It has been found that many bioactive components of plant extracts, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, carotenoids, and hydroxy acids have anti-aging properties [ 45 ]. Quercetin which is widely found in plants has excellent antioxidant activity and produces anti-aging effects on the skin through a variety of mechanisms: reduction in intracellular ROS, protection against oxidative damage to cells, downregulation of MMP-1 mRNA expression, and increased collagen production, as well as the upregulation of COL1A1 mRNA expression in HSF [ 46 ].…”

Focus on the Contribution of Oxidative Stress in Skin Aging

“…The combination of both strategies is desired, since sun protection does not offer an appropriate protection to resist UVA-induced ROS. Numerous lines of evidence support the hypothesis that antioxidant compounds such as ascorbic acid, polyphenols, tocopherols, and other natural substances limit the concentration of free radicals, attenuating oxidative stress and slowing down the process of aging [ 263 ]. Ascorbic acid (vit C) directly scavenges ROS generated by UV radiation and promotes the biosynthesis of elastin and collagens [ 264 ].…”