As a Beauty Editor, I’ve heard it all when it comes to products that promise to turn back time and stop ageing in its tracks. Vampire facials, snail slime face creams, semen facials… Yes. Seriously. So, when a brand comes along and says it’s discovered a way to not only stop and treat ageing, but to reverse it, well – it’s safe to say (as enormously sceptical as I was) that my attention was piqued. First off, how is this actually possible? Well, according to Estée Lauder’s top-notch team of scientists and researchers, the secret lies in sirtuins – key longevity proteins in our cells that promote cell lifespan and help them live longer, act younger and increase healthspan.
“We are moving away from anti-ageing and we are moving to age reversal”, explains Dr. Nadine Pernodet, PhD, Senior Vice President, Bioscience, The Estée Lauder Companies. “By understanding the key pathways and the biological functions essential to fight ageing, we are going to help sustain the activity of these pathways in order really to reverse ageing. A lot of this comes directly from epigenetics research and one of the breakthroughs we’ve had, which we’ve been working on for over 15 years, is the field of sirtuins, which are called longevity proteins.
Sirtuins have been shown to increase longevity but also increase health span, and that’s really the key. Why? Because we want to live longer, right? But we want to live longer and be healthy. We don’t want to live longer with disease. So, a huge amount of research is being done now to avoid cancer, to avoid diseases that happen when we do age. When it comes to skincare, we have found that sirtuins are able to not only fight ageing but can actually reverse ageing in skin cells.”
To get the scoop on all things sirtuins and age reversal, I travelled to Singapore for this year’s World Congress of Dermatology – aka the most prestigious dermatological conference in the world. Held every four years, it’s where leading skincare brands, researchers, dermatologists and scientists come together to present their latest findings and discoveries. To be a part of it is a big deal, and to present at it is even more so. For the first time ever, Estée Lauder was in attendance, hosting a Symposium of Longevity, which revealed to the world the ground-breaking research and discoveries it has made in the fields of longevity and ageing.
What are sirtuins?
The search for everlasting youth has been a wild goose chase for centuries, but Estée Lauder’s groundbreaking research has unlocked a revolutionary approach – harnessing the power within our own cells. Enter sirtuins, fascinating proteins dubbed the “longevity proteins”. These remarkable conductors orchestrate functions that combat ageing. SIRT 1 acts as the renewal maestro, granting skin cells precious time for repair. SIRT 2, the architect of youthful contours, helps maintain your skin’s natural structure, keeping it plump and youthful. SIRT 3, the energy booster, invigorates your skin cells, ensuring they stay vibrant. Finally, SIRT 6, the longevity guardian, works to preserve the lifespan and integrity of skin cells, allowing them to function optimally for longer.
WHAT CAN THEY DO FOR OUR SKIN?
Estée Lauder’s Symposium of Longevity brought together leading researchers to explore the potential of sirtuins, proteins linked to longevity, for promoting youthful skin. Dr. Pernodet partnered with Dr. Danica Chen, a renowned Sirtuin researcher from UC Berkeley, and their exciting findings shed light on the specific sirtuins that directly influence the skin’s structure: SIRT 1, 2, 3 and 6. These “cellular guardians,” as Dr. Pernodet aptly described them, are present in all skin cells, playing crucial roles in building and protecting the skin.
However, Dr. Pernodet emphasised that sirtuin levels naturally decline with age, a process accelerated by factors like UV exposure and pollution. This decline leads to an increase in free radicals, which damage the skin, and a loss of ATP, the cell’s energy source. She also highlighted the specific vulnerability of SIRT 3 to ozone pollution, further contributing to the visible signs of ageing like wrinkles, uneven texture and pigmentation.
This research on sirtuins is a total game-changer. Now that we understand how they keep our skin looking youthful, scientists can unleash these inner superheroes and develop ways to supercharge them. Not just masking wrinkles and tackling signs of ageing, but reversing the hands of time too. Inspired by this cutting-edge science, Estée Lauder’s reformulated Re-Nutriv collection takes a groundbreaking approach by reactivating and supporting the different sirtuin families, resulting in powerhouse products that empower skin to achieve its full potential.
Sirtuins in Skincare
Dr. Pernodet’s groundbreaking research has identified “sirtuin activators”, a squad of special ingredients that can boost sirtuin levels within the skin. Think of these activators as personal trainers for sirtuins, helping them reach peak performance. This translates to some pretty amazing benefits, including…
- Collagen boosting: Think plumper, younger-looking skin. Sirtuin activation can crank up collagen production in fibroblasts, the skin’s scaffolding.
- Barrier protecting: Sirtuins help strengthen your skin’s barrier function, keeping it protected from environmental aggressors.
- Free radical fighting: Say goodbye to pesky free radicals that damage skin. Sirtuin activation provides a shield against these environmental baddies.
- Overall glow-up: All these benefits combined lead to a noticeable improvement in skin appearance, restoring that youthful glow.
Flower extracts seem to be Sirt 1’s best friend, algae extracts work wonders for Sirt 3 and patented ferments unlock the power of Sirt 6. The culmination of this research is Estée Lauder’s SIRTIVITY-LP technology, now incorporated into their Re-Nutriv range. This powerhouse collection targets sirtuins 1, 2, 3, and 6, creating a supportive network within your skin. And the proof really is in the pudding, as studies show a 174% increase in collagen levels within just 72 hours of using Re-Nutriv products. Plus, skin cell shape improves by a whopping 157%. Not to mention a 43% reduction in melanin spots (pigmentation) after just a week.
Products akin to a time machine? This isn’t science fiction. this is advanced, scientifically-backed skincare. Watch this space…
