Terri Vinson, the managing director of Synergie Skin, has warned the Australian beauty industry that ‘infrared protection’ is the next big challenge in the battle against skin ageing.
Speaking at the launch of Synergie’s latest product, Enviroshield, in Sydney last week, Vinson, a cosmetic chemist with more than 20 years formulating experience, told beauty media and influencers that “UV is no longer the only enemy”.
“Recent clinical studies have shown that infrared damage is just as destructive to the skin as UV rays and is also a key contributor to photo-ageing.”
Vinson, who established Synergie Skin in 2005 with a “clean science” philosophy of “harnessing science and nature in synergy whilst avoiding potentially harmful ingredients’, said infrared protection would “be the next generation of solar defence” in skincare.
She explained that IR rays are classified into three categories (A, B and C) – IRA penetrates the epidermal and dermal layers while IRB and IRC are absorbed only by the epidermal layers.
Visible symptoms of IR skin damage include a dull complexion, skin irritation, dehydration, uneven skin tone and pigmentation.
Vinson created Synergie’s Enviroshield to prevent such damage as well as protect the skin against the harmful effects of airborne pollutants.
She nonetheless acknowledged that under controlled circumstances infrared light could benefit some skin conditions.
“Controlled exposure of infrared rays in clinical machines have been known to be beneficial to the skin in some cases… Enviroshield is designed to combat the damaging effects of uncontrolled and prolonged exposure to infrared radiation.”
The key ingredients in Enviroshield are Elix-IR and Exo-P.
Elix-IR (Polygonum Aviculare), a botanical extract, is “a revolutionary active ingredient acting on infrared ageing” that produced “outstanding clinical results on sun-exposed volunteers”.
Exo-P (Alteromonas Ferment), a complex sugar produced from seaweed cloning, is biomimetic with human cells and “a natural shield” against urban pollution as it chelates heavy metals, reduces barrier-damaging particulate matter and fights free radical activity.
According to Vinson, two to three spritzes of Enviroshield prior to “outside exposure”:
- Prevents penetration of heavy metals, hydrocarbons and fine particulate matter
- Prevents free radical damage
- Guards against premature ageing
- Deeply hydrates.
In addition the spritz also “sets mineral makeup for a dewy glow”.
For more information visit www.synergieskin.com