Antioxidants in sunscreens help skin

MIAMI, March 5 (UPI) -- Using antioxidants in sunscreens reduced the formation of damaging free radicals by 74 percent of skin exposed to ultraviolet light, U.S. researchers found.

Robert Bianchini, vice president of research and development at the Coppertone Solar Research Center, said the finding provides evidence that sunscreen products containing certain antioxidants can help fortify skin's natural defenses.

A separate independent 12-week clinical trial demonstrated that daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreens containing specialized blends of antioxidants found in select products in the 2010 Coppertone sunscreen line can provide additional skin health benefits beyond UV protection, Bianchini said.

"Emerging research shows that vitamin E, one of the primary antioxidants in the sunscreen we tested, is a key ingredient for preserving skin's barrier function and for helping to maintain skin health," Bianchini said in a statement. "Since vitamin E may be lost from the skin during environmental stress, such as outdoor exercise, using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with antioxidants proven to help restore these elements is important."

Research has shown that not all topical antioxidants are equal and UV radiation may cause an unexpected reaction with certain topical antioxidants -- including some plant extracts -- when exposed to sunlight, transforming them into damaging pro-oxidants, Bianchini said.

For this reason, the researchers tested the antioxidant ingredients used in Coppertone Sport with Replenishing Antioxidants and Coppertone Kids with Protective Vitamins to ensure they function properly in conditions similar to "real world" sunscreen use.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Miami.