SkinCeuticals’ manager of education Cori Ramos is here to share the latest intel about their new skin care products.

The skin renewal cycle plays a pivotal role in how our skin looks, feels and functions. Our skin is our body’s largest organ, and one of the most hardworking. It keeps the good stuff in and the bad stuff out, like pathogens and allergens. Beyond protection, our skin also has the remarkable ability to renew and regenerate itself by creating new cells and shedding the old, dead ones it doesn't need anymore. This crucial process is known as the skin renewal cycle, and when functioning optimally, this cycle helps our skin maintain a healthy, youthful appearance. Over time, however, this cycle slows down and leads to visible signs of aging, rough texture and more. Read on to learn how the skin renews itself, what can slow renewal cycles and how to boost the cycle to maintain skin health at any age.

• What is the skin renewal cycle?

• Why does the skin renewal cycle slow down?

• How can we boost the skin renewal cycle?

• Introducing SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst

• How to use SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst

What is the skin renewal cycle?

Our skin cells go through a constant cycle of regeneration and renewal that begins in the deepest layer of the epidermis, called the basal layer. New skin cells are created in the basal layer and travel up through multiple layers of the skin as they mature. These new cells dehydrate, thicken and flatten as they eventually make their way to the skin’s surface where they reach the end of their life cycle and are ready to flake off to make way for other cells on their way to the top. This continuous cycle of skin cell renewal in the basal layer and cell turnover at the surface of the skin happens naturally, leaving us with healthy, smooth skin.

Why does the skin renewal cycle slow down?

In our twenties, the cycle of renewal and turnover takes roughly 28 days. In our twenties and thirties, the cycle can take roughly 28 to 35 days. By the time we hit our forties, cycle length extends to around 30 to 42 days, and once we are in our fifties, we can expect skin renewal to take 45 to 84 days.

What does this mean? When the skin renewal cycle slows, fresh skin cells are not produced as quickly and the dead cells on the surface are not shedding as quickly, either. This leads to a build-up of dead skin cells, rough texture, pronounced signs of aging and reduced receptivity to at-home skin care products.

In addition to age, external aggressors and lifestyle factors can also slow renewal cycles. Some examples of those factors include lack of sleep, poor nutrition, stress, hormonal changes and oxidative stress from sun exposure and pollution.

How can we boost the skin renewal cycle?

Although the slowdown of the skin renewal cycle is inevitable, there are ways to accelerate and even boost the cycle for improvement in the look and feel of our skin. Applying a daily vitamin C antioxidant serum and broad-spectrum sunscreen can help reduce oxidative stress and protect healthy skin from damaging free radicals that disrupt skin renewal cycles and age skin.

Exfoliation and cell renewal products are two ways to help boost the skin renewal cycle and are complimentary to each other when used together. Here is how they work:

• Products that promote cell renewal encourage the regeneration of new skin cells deep within the skin. These are formulas that feature ingredients like retinoids, peptides and amino acids. These ingredients can also help to promote healthy collagen and elastin production to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Products that promote exfoliation are designed to remove dead surface skin cells, either physically or chemically. These products contain ingredients such as AHAs, BHAs, enzymes or a physical scrub. In a nutshell, exfoliation can clear the way for the new cells created from cell renewal- promoting products to reveal a healthy, radiant-looking complexion.

Introducing SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst

To help address slow skin renewal cycles and visible signs of aging, SkinCeuticals has launched a new formula that works for all skin types and tones. SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst Skin Surface Renewal Serum is a potent skin renewal accelerating serum that boosts anti-aging results by promoting cell turnover and exfoliation. In one step, it has the potency to gently remove debris on the surface of the skin while activating cell turnover and energy. The cell cycling technology works in two ways:

• It accelerates skin cell turnover with a 7.7% multi-acid complex. Phytic, mandelic, salicylic, lactic and glycolic acids, all formulated at a low pH for tolerability, help gently enhance cell turnover at the skin’s surface for visible improvement in texture and tone.

• It boosts cellular vitality with 1% taurine: Not just for energy drinks, this natural amino acid found naturally in skin helps boost cellular energy and activate cell renewal cycles. It also helps stimulate skin barrier renewal and maintain moisture in the skin.

These two mechanisms of action help to promote cell turnover and renewal to improve your skin’s receptivity to at-home skin care products. The formula leaves skin hydrated, respects your skin’s natural barrier and is easy to integrate into any skin care routine. SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst can also be used prior to in office treatments, like chemical peels, to help enhance results.

When tested in clinical studies, SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst offered both immediate and long-term benefits when used daily. In fact, after eight weeks, SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst noticeably improved attributes associated with skin aging, including fine lines, discoloration and radiance in multiple facial zones. Immediate results:

• Skin is visibly brighter and the appearance of fine lines is reduced.

Results after eight weeks of use:

• 21% fewer global fine lines

• 16% less discoloration

• 13% reduction in visible pores

• 15% improvement in radiance

• 16% visible improvement of acne marks

The protocol for this study was an eight-week, single-center clinical trial, conducted on 78 females ranging in age from 27 to 68, with Fitzpatrick skin type l-VI. The participants had mild to moderate wrinkles, fine lines, rough skin texture, uneven skin tone and dull complexion. SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst was applied once daily as directed. Efficacy and tolerance evaluations were conducted at five points along the way: baseline, post-application, week one, week four and week eight.

How to use SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst

SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst has a lightweight, liquid consistency and only needs to be applied once a day, either in the morning or evening. To use, dispense one-third of a dropper into the palm of your hand and apply the serum to your face using your fingers. If using in the morning, apply before your SkinCeuticals vitamin C antioxidant serum and sunscreen. If you choose to use it in the evening instead, apply it before any serums and night creams.

Can you use SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst with other actives?

SkinCeuticals Cell Cycle Catalyst was tested for tolerance and efficacy in a clinical study where users applied the formula on top of their generic anti-aging routines, including retinol products, and good tolerance was observed. Cell Cycle Catalyst is also a great option for those who cannot tolerate a retinol or retinoid. Depending on the content of your usual regimen (retinoids, other acids), if you feel any discomfort, we recommend spacing out your application of Cell Cycle Catalyst or switching your use of Cell Cycle Catalyst to the morning or to the evening as to not be applied at the same time as your other actives.

Looking for more skin care advice? You can learn more about how to improve your skin care habits with SkinCeuticals on the LovelySkin Blog.