SkinCeuticals has announced initial findings from a multi-year clinical research initiative that for the first time, quantifies the damaging effects of pollution on skin, and the protective capacity of the brand’s topical antioxidants.

Results of this study were presented at the 2014 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting in Denver.

In partnership with Prof. Giuseppe Valacchi from the University of Ferrara, Italy, a leading researcher in the study of ozone, SkinCeuticals has embarked on an extensive and ongoing research initiative to prove that SkinCeuticals antioxidants protect from pollution-induced damage.

Prof. Valacchi explains:

“Ozone is one of the most toxic and constant forms of pollution. Ozone and UV together depletes skin’s protective antioxidants three times more than ozone alone. Our latest research proves that ozone pollution accelerates the natural aging process by creating free radicals, which impair healthy skin cell function, and activating NF-kB, an inflammatory pathway associated with several skin pathologies. The impact of ozone-induced damage is significantly prevented with these antioxidants.”

According to the brand, the new study proves that CE Ferulic’s combination of vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid – and Phloretin CF’s combination of phloretin, vitamin C and ferulic acid – will both significantly prevent ozone-induced oxidative damage.

When pre-treated with antioxidants C E Ferulic, ozone-induced lipid peroxidation is reduced by 51% and protein oxidation is reduced by 77%. Antioxidants Phloretin CF, reduce lipid peroxidation by 23%, and protein oxidation by 22%.

Both antioxidant combinations, CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF, significantly prevent activation of NF-kB, an inflammatory pathway, triggered by exposure to ozone.

Marc Toulemonde, global general manager, SkinCeuticals, added:

“We are at the forefront of uncovering the mechanism of pollution and skin. Harmful levels of ozone pollution will never decrease. Preventing its damage is crucial to our mission of improving skin health.”