“A good friend is like a four-leaf clover; hard to find and lucky to have.” – Irish Proverb
While most parts of the U.S. are still in the throes of summer, Friendship Day reminds us not to just get in touch with those we care about, but to also be thankful that we have unknown friends working on our behalf when it comes to our health. A recent study published by Oregon State University in Frontiers in Pharmacology came to our attention, and their research may help all of us protect ourselves from the damaging and aging effects of the sun in the future.
Photo Credit: George Hoffman
A Friend In the Making
Meadowfoam, an agricultural product native to the Pacific Northwest, has been cultivated for decades, but these white flowers are more than just beauty to behold. Researchers have discovered that their glucosinolates “have anti-cancer and sunlight-protectant properties.” While the oil has often been used as a substitute for jojoba oil in skincare and is also found in cosmetics, these skincare goodies are actually part of the waste material (aka seedmeal) that’s left over when the oil is extracted. Bet that’s the first time you’ve found yourself cheering over leftovers.
Stopping Sun Damage in Its Tracks
None of us are fond of animal testing, including the researchers at OSU (another reason to call them friends), so they tested their theories on “3-D facsimiles of human skin.” After zapping the testing material with the worst of the worst (UVB rays), they applied their new compound to it and learned that it protected the skin’s collagen, reduced precancerous cells, and kept the DNA from mutating negatively.
What to Use Now
While we wait to see when and if these findings make it into the skin care we use, there are still ways to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays and aging effects. Broad spectrum sunscreen will always be a safe bet, and when coupled with peptide-rich serums, you can improve your skin’s health and protect it at the same time.
Happy Friendship Day,
Team Reflect
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