What about DNA Repair?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with The Nobel Prize. I am such a nerd when it comes to understanding science without being a scientist myself. Call it a hobby of mine, if you will, but it gives me great pleasure and I’m also quite proud of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science for the work they are doing in order to acknowledge discoveries made.

With also being so fond of skincare and trying to learn and understand how our skin and skin cells are working, it comes as no surprise that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2015 hit very close to home and peaked my interest!

This December, the prize was shared between Tomas Lindahl, Paul Modrich and Aziz Sancar for their “mechanistic studies of DNA repair”. More plain spoken: Their joint effort in finding and understanding the gene for the enzyme (and the process within our DNA chain) that allows DNA to be stable and repair itself from mutations while the cell divides and to repair the chains from damages caused by, for example UV-radiation!

Illustration: www.kva.se The Royal Swedish Academy of Science 

When we are playing around with AHA, BHA and Retinol, we learn to incorporate sunscreen products into our daily morning routine. Although we need a certain amount of sun exposure to be able to produce vitamin D, we quickly learn the balance with protecting our fresh skin cells from harmful radiation. As I live in a very sunny environment, I do experiment with a lot of different brands to find out what kind of protection works for me. I need to shield, preferably be working in humidity, be light in consistence, maybe not leave a white residue and most of all have proven and certified technology behind it.

After reading up on this years fascinating research that led up to the Nobel Prize, and listen in on countless of interviews with the Laureates, I’ve gone a little sunscreen crazy over here. It has taken me a month or so to write this article, as I think it is so important for us to understand what’s happening in our body and why we should use certain products or what opportunity research is giving us to prevent deceases such as cancer. They state that all evolution requires mutation in our cells, but yet our DNA is very similar as the original set up, which means our body does have the ability to repair our own chain, and maybe save our cells from dying or being immune to chemotherapy.

Bioderma is one of my favourite brands when it comes to sunscreen. They claim to be placing biology at the service of dermatology, and with several patents and trademarks works to rely on the skin and it’s biological mechanisms. 

These two products are my favourites from the Photoderm-range and for great reasons.

Photoderm AKN Mat, spf 30 it a matifying fluid crrated for oily to combination skin. It goes on like a primer, I prefer to use it on my T-zone as it is giving my complexion a nice finish and still add high anti-UVB + unmarked anti-UVA protection. It do contain a small amount of Glycolic acid, so I’m careful to use it over skin that has been covered in Retinol over night, as I’ve seen some reactions.

Photoderm SPOT, spf 50+ is a thicker cream with very high anti-UVA protection suitable for skin that has been undergoing treatment, or holds scars. I repeatedly get some minor scars and dark spots on my chin from hormonal caused acne, and this product work very well do visibly reduce those.

Both holds the patented Cellular BIOprotection® complex and Octocrylene where a part if it’s molecule works to absorb the UVB and short wave UVA rays. In that way it protects the cell and it’s DNA chain from the radiation. None of the products holds titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which are other common ingredients in sunscreen products.

To me, this is a typical morning: adding protection, reading up on reaserch and never forgetting to protect and moist my lips. I start with some Hibiscus tea and yes, I glance a bit in my lovely fashion magazines as well. Balance, folks!

If you are interested in the research conducted behind 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry I urge you to take a look at the RSA of science’ website and click your way on to the  the pdf:

“Popular science background”

Enjoy your reading my friends, always stay on top of the game ♥

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2 Comments
  1. Interesting post, as always! Maybe this sunscreen can be an alternative to the TOF spf 50 that I have now and sometimes isn’t available in store?

    1. Dear Katrina! Thank you so much for your support, always. Yes, I think that Bioderma’s range of sun-protection is very kind to the body and skin. I do not have all information regarding possible allergens with me, but will be sure to ask the Head Office when I meet with them nest time. Kisses, M

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