Ingredient Spotlight: Preventhelia

Published on:  May 24, 2019
Last updated on:  March 19, 2020

In this post, we're going to spotlight a key ingredient, Preventhelia, which has been shown to protect the skin from the effects of UV damage. 

Preventhelia is a peptide, and it's written on labels by its technical name:  diaminopropionoyl tripeptide-33.

Yeah, that's a mouthful!  But, regardless of what it's called, let's talk about why it works.

I'll walk you through the slides with a little bit of text also to keep you moving.

UVA accounts for 95% of the sunlight reaching our skin and UVB accounts for the remaining 5%. 

UVC is fully absorbed by the upper atmosphere due to its extremely short wavelengths. 

UVB with a wavelength between UVA and UVC is blocked by clothing and car windows, and UVB is also the one responsible for sunburn. 

UVA with its longer wavelength can penetrate into the dermis and is the wavelength we generally worry about for long-term photodamage.

Both UVA and UVB are damaging to our cells in different ways.

UVA can do this by breaking the DNA backbone (single strand DNA break) or by causing cross-linking within cellular proteins.

And, UVB can cause cross-linking within a DNA strand (so instead of base pairs forming a bridge, they backlink onto themselves and form a U).  UVA does this by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive carbonyl species (RCS).

What does DNA cross-linking and strand breakage look like?  It shows up as a tail on a comet assay.

DNA comet assay in cells exposed to UV rays in the presence and absence of Preventhelia

One of the worst Reactive Carbonyl Species (RCS) is 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (more commonly referred to by its abbreviated name 4-HNE).  This RCS is generated in the presence of UVA waves.  It inhibits the work of DNA repair proteins so that these proteins can't efficiently fix DNA post sun exposure.

Preventhelia shields cells from the effects of 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal effectively quenching this potent radical carbonxyl species.

What does protection from 4-HNE look like?  Well, the slide below provides an idea of this showing cells before and after sun exposure when they're incubated in Preventhelia solution.  You'll notice that cells retain their vitality in the presence of Preventhelia more so than when they're exposed to UV rays in the absence of Preventhelia.

 

protection of cells in presence of Preventhelia when exposed to UV light

Preventhelia offers protection from the effects of UV exposure.

Which of our products contain this restorative and protective peptide? 

Every single one of our face lotions and serums contain Preventhelia.  For maximum sun protection and repair, we recommend Shade in a Bottle Day & Night Lotion or Beach Bum After Sun Serum.

References:

 

Brandy Searcy founder Rain Organica

About the Author

Brandy's a formulation scientist and self-proclaimed health geek who loves hiking, gardening, bird-watching, and body boarding. 

Her struggle with acne during her teens and 20s led to a holistic and healthy approach to skincare, embracing skin as an organ to be loved and cared for rather than a canvas to wage war on. 

Since 2008, she's been developing all-in-one products for a simple routine at home, & Rain Organica started when her backpacking friends asked for a portable skincare routine to keep their skin healthy & happy on and off the trails.

You can try Rain Organica for yourself with The Essentials Kit, a complete skincare routine in just 3 steps.

Brandy's LinkedIn Bio

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