Prevage

Written by: Julie Howarth

While many skin care products boast the benefits of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), which act primarily as exfoliants, Prevage is different. AHAs merely exfoliate the outermost layer of the skin.

Prevage antioxidant cream contains idebenone, an antioxidant that seeks out harmful free radicals in skin cells and protects those cells from damage that external environmental stresses can have on the skin. These stresses include UV light, air pollution, ozone and cigarette smoke. Prevage also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as skin roughness and dryness, and evens skin tone to restore youthful-looking skin.

Idebenone is considered a "super-potent antioxidant." This relatively new ingredient has been found to effectively combat the signs of aging brought on by factors such as age, sun damage and smoking. Idebenone is a benzoquinone compound currently used by the medical community. In the medical field, idebenone has been used, among other things, to protect organs from the oxidation process prior to transplant surgery. This same oxidation process is one of the primary causes of skin aging, a fact that led scientists to research idebenone's application as an antioxidant when topically applied to skin.

Ubiquinone, which is the natural form of idebenone, is another powerful antioxidant. According to Prevage's Web site, studies show that Idebenone is one of the five leading antioxidants.

In conjunction with the antioxidant Idebenone, Prevage also contains glycerin, propylene glycol and linoleic acid among other ingredients. Propylene glycol is a substance used to improve the spreadability of a product and can worsen acne. Glycerin tends to draw water out of the skin and can make skin drier. Linoleic acid is used as an emollient and thickening agent in cosmetics.