Research for the development of a project to protect the skin, for the relief of replicative senescence and skin damage caused by environmental pollution and UV radiation using lutein and zeaxanthin extracted from corn seed oil within the EXCornsEED project

POLLUTION EFFECT ON SKIN AND EYE HEALTH

Air pollution can damage us when it accumulates in the air in sufficiently high concentrations. Millions of people live in areas where urban smog, particle pollution and toxic pollutants pose serious health problems. The skin is exposed to numerous environmental attacks that can lead to premature aging. Of these agents, perhaps none is more omnipresent than the ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths of sunlight and artificial indoor lighting. The main immediate defense against environmental damage to the skin is the skin's antioxidant capacity. Therefore, strengthening the antioxidant defense system of the skin is a potentially important strategy to reduce skin damage induced by the environment.

How environmental factors such as UV radiation and pollution can affect the skin

The primary purpose of the skin is protection; it provides a physical barrier against radiation, toxic chemicals and exposure to water to protect internal organs.

In carrying out this function, the skin encounters inevitable damage that leads to signs of skin aging, with which we are familiar: wrinkles, expression lines, skin dyschromia, loss of skin volume and tone. We know that both internal and external factors lead to the aging of our skin; internal factors include smoking and excess alcohol, and external factors include sun exposure (UV radiation) and environmental pollution.

There are several theories on how exposure to pollution can lead to skin damage, the most widespread is the theory of free radicals and oxidative stress. It states that the accumulation of free radicals and oxidative stress creates a cascade of intracellular damage, which damages the cellular processes that allow skin cells to divide to grow and repair themselves.
Oxidative stress and free
radical theory It is commonly accepted that UV radiation and photoaging cause most visible signs of aging.

When UV radiation comes into contact with the skin surface, it causes the production of free radicals and the formation of ROS (reactive oxidative species).

ROS are rather reactive and unstable molecules due to their unpaired electron.

They'll stick to anything in an attempt to steal the last electron needed to stabilize. This process causes intracellular chaos, which leads to inflammation, affecting the cell itself and causing collateral tissue damage.

Chemical pollutants

Microscopic particles are released into the atmosphere every second from combustion, power plants, construction sites, motor vehicles. These tiny chemicals create an invisible toxic film on the surface of the skin. The microscopic size of the particles allows them to easily penetrate the pores of the skin, down to the deepest layers, and finally hit the cell nucleus of the skin, creating a cascade of intracellular damage.
This mechanism also triggers a phenomenon known as replicative senescence: a cellular aging process in which the cell can no longer replicate. This is a natural process, but can be easily triggered prematurely by the effects of UV radiation and environmental toxins, both indoors and outdoors.
A side effect of UV exposure and pollution is a global degeneration of the skin, where inflammation and dehydration of skin cells appear.

This causes collagen degradation and damage to the lipid layer of the skin, compromising its barrier function, which manifests itself in the loss of elasticity, firmness and volume.
Ozone also has an impact on skin ageing and can trigger exacerbations of pre-existing skin conditions.

Studies suggest that ozone, like any other chemical pollutant, primarily affects the horny layer and begins to penetrate the dermis.

Air pollution increases dry eye syndrome and other ophthalmic symptoms

Environmental conditions seem to have a very significant effect on the ocular surface. There are very high levels of subclinical changes in the eye surface among people living in highly polluted areas.

Due to the constant contact of the pre-ocular tear film, cornea and conjunctiva with the surrounding air, toxins have direct access to these ocular structures and can modify them abnormally. Clinical studies suggest that ambient air quality may lead to premature rupture of the pre-ocular tear film and corneal epithelial damage. This can lead to significant eye irritation and discomfort.

A situation of redness, irritation, foreign body sensation, tearing, blurred vision, photophobia and eye fatigue is usually reported by most patients. Eye disorders are a poorly recognized problem that causes daily suffering.

Eye dryness syndrome is detected in 1 in 6 patients who live in urban areas and spend most of their time indoors, where recirculated air makes the environment not only dry but also microbiologically contaminated.

The unfortunate mixture of dry air and contamination is responsible for a steady increase in eye diseases, from redness and basic eye irritation to dry eye syndrome, which covers a wide range of eye infections, such as blepharitis, and even allergic reactions.

Simple remedies both at home and in the office, such as maintaining humidity inside and using a high quality air filter are to be considered an essential part in the prevention of certain eye diseases, but they are not enough. Protecting the eye attachments with topical antioxidant and film-forming ointments is strategic to preserve the health of our eyes.

Our system to protect the skin from pollution

The range HR DEFEND is formulated with natural ingredients.
The main ingredients are:

• hemp seed oil, cold-pressed, edible type

• lutein and zeaxanthin, plant carotenoids

• Omega BlueTranscutol TM

All formulations are paraben-free, PEGS-free, fragrance-free, mineral oil and its derivatives.
The line consists of the following products

HR DEFEND WOMEN

• DUO INDOOR - protective bioelements against damage from artificial light, recirculating air. Main ingredients: hemp seed oil, lutein, zeaxanthin, hyaluronic acid.

• DUO OUTDOOR - antismog, also protects against environmental aggression and UV radiation. Main ingredients: hemp seed oil, lutein, zeaxanthin, blueberry, carnitine.

HR DEFEND MEN

• DUO POWER UP FOR MEN - detox and energizing
  treatment Main ingredients: hemp seed oil, ginseng, eleuterococcus, guarana, caffeine, lutein, zeaxanthin.

HR DEFEND EYE CARE

• DUO EYE PROTECT - antioxidant, specific for eye health and eye attachments - helps to relieve dry eye syndrome, blepharitis and other ophthalmic syndromes.
  Main ingredients: hemp seed oil, lutein, zeaxanthin, arctic blueberry, TranscutolTM

HR DEFEND Children 4-12 years

• DUO Kids - moisturizing treatment for dryness and rashes. Main ingredients: hemp seed oil, corn oil, olive oil, liquorice root extract - paraben free, PEGS free, fragrance free

HR DEFEND TOILETRIES

• BATH OIL - moisturizing and soothing oil bath 300 ml. Main ingredients: hemp seed oil, almond oil, olive oil, corn oil - no preservatives, no PEGS, no fragrance

• SEMPLY SOAP 100g
  Natural soap with pure corn extract, hemp seeds and olive oils, thoroughly cleanses the skin,
  helping to preserve the natural hydrolipidic balance, thus avoiding skin dryness and stress. Suitable for all skin types. Handmade.

Because lutein and zeaxanthin from corn seed oil in topical applications:

Lutein

Lutein is one of the best known carotenoids, most of which have strong antioxidant capabilities.

More commonly known for its eye health benefits, l utein is a phytonutrient found in various foods, including green leafy vegetables and egg yolk.

As a dietary supplement, it has proven to be a superstar reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration (ADM). Previous studies on lutein supplementation have shown that it strengthens the skin's natural antioxidant production and helps protect against sun damage, reducing inflammation and improving skin and eye health.
Once consumed, lutein has an antioxidant activity that helps to block the formation of oxidative stress, the primary cause of aging and degeneration.

Lutein is essential to form the lens and retina of the eye and to protect vision until old age. It does so by absorbing UV light and other rays, within the spectrum that damages our eyes, such as blue light emitted by technological devices.

This is why researchers invite people to consume lutein and offer prevention of eye diseases.

Lutein, as well as all carotenoids in general, are proven immune system enhancers, helping to prevent premature skin damage and skin cancer. Diets rich in carotenoids are useful to prevent damage caused by UV rays, which can lead to melanoma, skin aging, wrinkles and thickening of the skin.
We absorb carotenoids better when we eat them as part of a meal that also has some healthy fats;
According to a study published in the Journal of Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, it is possible to decrease the signs of aging, particularly wrinkles induced by the sun or pollution, by supplementing with lutein used in combination with a topical application.