Retinyl palmitate is a revolutionary new option for a sunscreen. It is a persistent
cellular sunscreen that works differently compared to all other types of sunscreen
on the market.
Retinyl palmitate is defined as being a vitamin A derivative. It works uniquely as a
sunscreen in three ways. First, it absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Second, it
significantly inhibits the formation of thymine dimers, which are a risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Lastly, retinyl palmitate prevents erythema, or redness caused by UVB exposure.
Consumers wear sunscreen for a variety of reasons. Most people want to prevent
skin cancer, avoid the discomfort of getting sunburned and protect themselves from
damaging and aging UV rays. Retinyl palmitate is able to effectively address all of
those sunscreen needs.
In a 2003 article titled, “The Filter Effect of Vitamin A on Human Epidermis” from
The Society for Investigative Dermatology, the authors discuss how vitamin A, or
retinyl palmitate, aids in the absorption of UV radiation. The authors state, “Retinyl
esters, a storage form of vitamin A, concentrate in the epidermis, and absorb
ultraviolet radiation with a maximum at 325 nm.” The authors go on to add,
“Vitamin A strongly absorbs UV radiation between 300 and 350nm, with a maximum
at 325 nm, a wavelength range received from the sun at earth level.” Since retinyl
palmitate is a vitamin A derivative, applying it topically helps to increase the
amount on the skin. This allows the epidermis to store the excess as retinyl esters,
thus allowing the retinyl esters to absorb UV radiation up to 325 nm. 325 mn,
conveniently, is the amount of UV radiation that reaches the earth from the sun.
Retinyl palmitate works to inhibit the formation of thymine dimers. Thymine dimers
indicate DNA damage and are a risk factor in the instance of skin cancer. In the
same article from The Society for Investigative Dermatology, the authors specify
that, “the amounts of thymine dimers in 10 ng of DNA was 43% lower in mice
treated with retinyl palmitate 2% compared to its vehicle, indicating that retinyl
palmitate inhibited the formation of thymine dimers by filtering UVB.” This is very
important, because preventing skin cancer is the main motivation to wear
sunscreen. The same study showed that retinyl palmitate was as effective at
preventing thymine dimers as a commercial sunscreen with SPF 20. The efficacy of
retinyl palmitate in preventing thymine dimers, and thus skin cancer, is significant.
Avoiding a sunburn is another reason people wear sunscreen. Retinyl palmitate has
been proven to prevent sunburn. In the same article from The Society for
Investigative Dermatology, the authors point out that, “Topical retinyl palmitate
inhibits UVB-induced erythema in human skin.”
In summary, retinyl palmitate is a groundbreaking new sunscreen. It fulfills all the
requirements consumers have when choosing an effective option for sun protection.
It absorbs UV radiation, protects the skin from the development of skin cancer, and
prevents sunburn.
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