HOW IT WORKS

Skin Aging

From the Inside Out

Young and healthy-looking skin is part genetics and part environmental factors. You can't control your body's natural aging process (referred to as intrinsic aging), but skin aging is also affected by exposure to adverse environmental factors such as the sun, pollution, smoking and poor nutrition (referred to as extrinsic). The biological process of skin aging ultimately leads to the major causes of skin aging, including inflammation, oxidative (free-radical induced) damage and the depletion of key cellular components such as collagen and hyaluronic acid. These factors combine to cause depletion at the cellular level as well as a breakdown and collapse of collagen at deeper layers, manifesting in visible wrinkles as well as skin sagging, lost radiance, uneven pigmentation, dryness and enlarged pores.

While studies of skin aging have identified the major causes of skin aging, scientists have discovered another crucial factor – mitochondrial decay* – shown to play an even more important role.

*Mitochondrial decay is theorized to be the leading cause of aging according to gerontology, the study of aging. Mitochondria are found in all human cells. They are primarily responsible for ATP (cellular energy) generation and are crucial for healthiness and the survival of cells.

Mitochondrial Decay*

The Key Cause of Skin Aging

Most anti-aging skincare products aim to enhance the appearance of aging skin by attempting to replenish the depleted cellular components or to supply antioxidants to combat free radicals. But it has been found that truly effective anti-aging skincare products must have the ability to counteract the fundamental cause of aging – mitochondrial decay. This is crucial to restore aging skin for sustainable results.

Mitochondria are the energy-producing organelle of every cell. Cells make up every organ and all living cells have mitochondria. In fact, there are thousands of mitochondria per cell. Their primary job is to generate ATP, or fuel, through various energy cycles that involve nutrients and vitamins. ATP is needed for every movement, thought and action we make, yet very little ATP can be stored in the body.

In the natural process of oxidation (turning oxygen into energy), the mitochondria generate free radicals – highly reactive, unstable molecules that cause damage to healthy cells, leading to internal aging as well as the appearance of visible signs of external aging. As we age, the mitochondria become larger, less efficient and fewer in number. As such, ATP production declines and may eventually lead to cell death.

As organs cannot borrow energy from one another, the efficiency of each organ's mitochondria is essential to its repair processes and functions. If an organ's mitochondria fail, then so does that organ. The skin is the largest organ in the body, so the enhancement and protection of actual mitochondrial function is instrumental in preventing and slowing skin aging.

Through a holistic and highly scientific approach to skincare, the Glissandra™ team has developed a simple, proven 3-step skincare regimen that targets mitochondrial decay. It not only supports the natural antioxidant systems of the skin cells to prevent deterioration due to aging, but simultaneously helps to sustain the natural mitochondrial functional ability in skin cells for optimal skin health.

*Mitochondrial decay is theorized to be the leading cause of aging according to gerontology, the study of aging. Mitochondria are found in all human cells. They are primarily responsible for ATP (cellular energy) generation and are crucial for healthiness and the survival of cells.

Schisandra Berry

Nature's Most Elite Herb

Glissandra™ products uniquely harness the power of nature's potent Schisandra berry, renowned as "one of the 50 fundamental herbs" of traditional Chinese medicine. Dating back to ancient China as the key to maintaining youth and radiance, it is now considered a vital adaptogen that helps the body achieve a balanced state and adapt to physical, mental, environmental and other stresses.

This berry has exciting qualities and applications relating to its status as an adaptogen. The Schisandra berry is naturally rich in antioxidants and research suggests that it acts as an antioxidant-site stimulator. In this role, it has been seen to increase antioxidant activity throughout the body, helping fight free radical damage not only by providing its own antioxidants, but also by helping to stimulate antioxidants already present in the body.

The power of Schisandra as it relates to skin health and anti-aging lies in Glissandrin,™ a proprietary suite of scientifically proven natural compounds. The key components of Glissandrin™ include (-)Schisandrin B, (±)γ-Schisandrin, Schisandrin A and Schisandrin C – extracts from the Schisandra berry that are refined while preserving their natural state. Unlike most other ingredients for anti-aging skincare, Glissandrin™ is comprised of all natural compounds and is formulated to support the natural ability of skin cells to counteract the major causes of skin aging.

Glissandrin™

The Most Effective Anti-Aging Solution

Glissandrin,™ with Schisandra at its core, is the result of more than 20 years of research and development at the internationally recognized Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.* In both in-vitro and in-vivo studies, the proprietary Glissandrin™ formulation has been proven effective at improving the visible appearance of aging. Glissandrin™ does not change skin cells – it nourishes them with a unique combination of natural ingredients and advanced technology to support the healthiness of cells and their natural ability to combat the leading causes of skin aging, including:

• Mitochondrial decay
• Declining mitochondrial functional capability
• Oxidative stress
• Inflammation
• Adverse external factors
• Collagen-destroying enzymes

Most importantly, Glissandrin™ produces real, sustainable results you can see and feel. Our complete skincare regimen makes it easy for you to experience younger, healthier-looking skin. Our products are hypoallergenic and are safe and effective for even the most sensitive skin types.

*Research was led by Dr. Robert Ko, Professor of Biochemistry. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was ranked 35th worldwide by Times Higher Education in 2009.