Christopher’s quizzical about sirtuins: Avon is releasing a new product called Anew Ultimate
The Right Brain’s sirtuin story:
Chris, you may not know it, but you’re on the cutting edge of skin care technology. Sit back and we’ll tell you the whole sirtuin story:
What are Sirtuins?
It all started with a 2001 study that showed that a lower calorie diet can prolong your life span. One of the factors linked to this discovery is a family of proteins known as Sirtuins. This prompted a flurry of additional research, and today sirituins are heralded as the next breakthrough in antiaging.
What do Sirtuins do?
A review of the medical literature shows a plethora of research papers on sirtuins and their potential as agents in the fight against aging. That’s because they have been shown to reduce cell death by protecting cells against reactive oxygen species and DNA damage. This is the kind of breakthrough that could lead to the first truly effective antiaging drugs. (Here’s an example of one research paper that talks about stimulating sirtuin production to ward off a variety of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.)
Are Sirtuins good for skin?
Not surprisingly, the cosmetic industry is interested in sirtuins for skin care applications. Sirtuins for skin make a lot of sense since skin suffers from the same kind of oxidative damage described above. And the research to date looks promising – some researchers have established a link between sirtuin production and life cycle of skin cells. (Reference: “Sirtuins: A Breakthrough in Antiaging Research by Isabelle Imbert, et. al, in the January 2008 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.) According to the researchers, sirtuins have several specific benefits for skin cells.
Benefits of Sirtuins
Skin cells were treated in vitro with agents that increase the production of sirtuins and the following benefits where seen:
- Protection from stress
- Increased cell longevity
- Restoration of aged cells ability to adapt and thrive
- Preservation of skin structure and integrity
The researchers conclude that “interest in including Sirtuin Activating Compounds in different skin moisturizers or specific antiaging products, as well as cosmetics, is occurring with the knowledge that sirtuins play a key role in protecting skin from stress and photoaging.”
What does that mean exactly? Basically they’re saying that if some cosmetic company can figure out how to stimulate sirtuin production with a cream or lotion, it could be a real antiaging breakthrough. Unfortunately, the article doesn’t make reference to any such products existing today (as of January 2008).
Avon Anew Ultimate
So how does Avon figure into the sirtuin story? According to the company’s website, their line of Anew Ultimate
Of course, Avon may have patents pending, or some other technical publication, that proves this technology really does provide such a breakthrough but we were unable to locate it.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Avon may be selling a very well formulated line of products but without some kind of evidence of a technological breakthrough, we’re assuming that this is another skin care product capitalizing on the “ingredient of the month.”
If anyone from Avon reads this and can provide more details on your technology, we’ll gladly print your comments. Meanwhile, you can learn more about Anew Ultimate
When you see new sciencey ingredients do you believe it’s better for your skin or are you skeptical? Leave a comment and share your favorite high tech ingredients with the rest of the Beauty Brains community.
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what about the new renutriv ultimate youth cream from estee lauder (terribly expensive at $250), it supposedly has a time-released version of resveratrol, its supposed to activate these sirtuins (or whatever, Im still confused). but I think any studies that were done, were funded by EL, so might not be unbiased…
I love this anew product.
I don’t know if it is what it says it is, I do know my skin loves this product and I am seeing some results.
I’d like to see an independent lab assay the amount of sirtuins in a jar of beauty product after it’s been sitting on shelves at room temperature for a couple of months.
Also, the bioavailability of a protein when smeared on the skin (it has to get through several layers of dead keratinized cells) is going to be much different from dropping it straight on a naked monolayer of cells in a culture dish. How do you know if it even reaches the layers of live cells?
Without much more rigorous proof for this cream, it’s better to take care of your skin by taking care of your overall health.
The Avon Anew Ultimate Age Repair Elixir is best used after using the Anew Clinical Dermabrasion. When I use the elixir after dermabrasion, it sinks right in. I’m not sure about the anti aging affects, but it has evened out my skin tone & the blotchiness that I have suffered with for over 20 years is gone.
Yes, Avon has a patent pending on this technology.
Alford & Hoff which is a luxury mens skin care line available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman jus t came out with a Serum that contains the SIR2stac Complex which was formulated using the science of human longevity research and activates Sirtuins in the skin. It has made a huge difference in the overall appearance of my skin and works extremely well with the microdermabrasion that Alford & Hoff offers.
Jafra Cosmetics just came out with an Advanced Royal Jelly Milk Balm Moisture lotion (original is 56 years old) with Sirtuin activators. I’ve been researching this tonight. The Royal Jelly is the only moisturizer that I’m aware of that is proven to be absorbed down to the cellular (live) level of the skin. If it can take the Sirtuin activators to that level, imagine what it might do for our skin? I’ve just started using it so I’m anxious to see what results I get. Stay tuned.
I wonder about two things; first Estee Lauders time zone cream, has anyone heard of/ tried this product and is it effective / better than the above mentioned Avon product?
second; is there any known effect of ingesting sirtuin enhancing product / does such products exist? Just thought after reading your comments above that it might be more efficient if you take it internally? But I don’t know any such products or the effects there off.
M
Clinique has a new sirituin technology called Youth Surge also. Has anyone heard whether this is just a claim as with Avon? I have purchased it and love it! It also has a spf of 15 which is awesome! It feels wonderful on my skin and I am interested to know if it does what it says it does-and the price is right!!
All I can say is that it works. I may not now the science behind it but it just works. I am 30 yrs old and recently started using this miracle elixir after sampling some from my mum. I must say that it’s by far the best serum I have used in my life. I may be too young to use this product (as it states that it’s for mature skin 40 and above) but I have been reaping too many benefits to give it up!
I use it twice daily after a hyaluronic based serum, before my daily moisturizer/night cream and I can literally see my face tightening up day by day! I dont even need to use an eye cream anymore as the elixir acts as an all-in-one serum for my face and undereyes. This is definitely a keeper!