Blue light, also known as HEV light (high energy visible light), is part of the visible light spectrum. It is present in natural sunlight, but high amounts of this HEV light are also emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptop screens. That is why an increased amount of screen time throughout the day will allow for increased penetration of blue light. Compared to UV rays, blue light is capable of penetrating even deeper into the skin, where it causes oxidative stress that can damage healthy cells and thus lead to premature skin aging and wrinkles. Oxidative stress is caused by an excessive amount of free radicals in your skin. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that have lost an electron. In order to stabilize themselves, they then steal electrons from other molecules in proximity, creating more free radicals in the process. That is why it is important to stop this chain reaction by using antioxidant skincare products. HEV light is not the only factor that can contribute to the creation of free radicals and premature skin aging, however. Environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors like excess alcohol consumption, smoking or a stressful daily life can also lead to oxidative stress and cause the skin to age prematurely.

Smog, fumes and particulate matter are not just responsible for worldwide air pollution, they can also damage our skin. Exposure to air pollution can aggravate inflammation and pimples, clog pores and make your complexion appear dull and tired. Poor air quality levels can even have a negative impact on sebum production, which leads to overly shiny skin and an oily T-zone. The skin is our largest organ and constantly exposed to a variety of pollution-related environmental threats. Similar to blue light, bad air quality can lead to the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress. It weakens the skin barrier, a natural coat of armor that protects our skin, and makes it more permeable to harmful substances. Smog particles and fine dust settle on the skin and clog the pores, leading to a range of problems including premature skin aging. A good skincare routine that involves cleansing and specialized anti-pollution products helps to protect your skin from the negative effects of urban pollution.

Your body needs antioxidants (so-called free radical scavengers) to counteract the imbalance of free radicals missing an electron that causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can harm healthy human cells, like skin cells or the connective tissue, and it can even result in DNA damage. Antioxidants, however, work to prevent this oxidative damage by giving up an electron “voluntarily” to stabilize free radicals. That is how they stop the chain reaction of free radical formation and how they can reduce or even prevent oxidative stress-induced effects like cell damage. We capture the benefits of this knowledge by formulating our products with marine-based ingredients like algae and a special kind of plankton that are particularly rich in antioxidants. But why are algae in particular such a powerful source of antioxidants? Algae as well as plankton are true masters in the art of survival and have been able to adapt to a variety of environmental challenges. Plankton, for example, has developed an enzyme that protects against UV radiation and sun damage. Blood rain algae, on the other hand, produce an antioxidant called astaxanthin when in a state of stress. This helps them to survive long periods of time without water or nourishment. Our skin benefits from these antioxidant properties of algae and plankton as well, because they protect our cells from free radicals and help to combat premature aging. In addition to using antioxidant skincare products, eating a healthy diet also plays an important role in preventing oxidative damage. Many plant-based foods contain high levels of natural free radical scavengers. Fruits and vegetables (like carrots, broccoli, dark berries and salad), oils (for example sunflower oil and coconut oil) and nuts are all especially rich in antioxidants and offer helpful protection against oxidative stressors.