A few years ago oxygen facials were all the rage. Now some companies are offering oxygen-saturated creams, gels and moisturizers.
This trend is based on the belief that “as we age, the oxygen in our body is depleted, which results in lifeless skin,” as told to the New York Times by Michael Ann Guthrie, vice president for retail for Natura Bissé.
The skin care company Philosophy offers various oxygen boost products ranging in price from $25 to $55 dollars. Their biggest seller is an in-home oxygen peel.
Natura Bissé, which is based in Barcelona, sells six oxygen-themed products ranging in price from $48 to $84.
Bliss also jumped on the bandwagon with new products in 2010 and 2011 called Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask and Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Cleansing Foam.
This spring they plan to add two additional oxygenating products.
All of these companies offer explanations of how oxygen in skin care products is supposed to rejuvenate one’s skin.
Susan Grey, regional vice president of spa operations for New York Bliss Spas told the New York Times, “Oxygen increases circulation, which increases the delivery of nutrition to the skin, and gives your skin energy. It also kills bacteria which keeps post-facial breakouts away.”
“As people age, their capillaries break down and there is less blood flow and less oxygen delivered to the skin,” said Gerry Merz, the president and chief executive of Oxygen Pür.
“This lack of oxygen within leads to less collagen production, fine lines, wrinkles and age spots,” he said.
The question is, can the skin really absorb oxygen through application of a cream or treatment and if it can be absorbed, would it reverse the signs of aging?
Oxygen has been used for wound healing in hyperbaric chambers where pressure is used to drive more oxygen in to the air a patient breathes.
Increased oxygen levels in the blood boost the healing of chronic wounds and can kill bacteria that are susceptible to exposure to oxygen.
Mr. Merz cited a Canadian study when speaking to the New York Times where oxygen was absorbed by the skin. However, that small study involved placing the subjects’ feet for 30 minutes in a supersatured solution of oxygen in water.
Higher oxygen levels can be forced into a solution (supersaturated) using special techniques.
In the study, the entire skin surface of the foot was immersed in the saturated water. This is not the same as trying to maintain oxygen levels that are dissolved in creams or masks spread on the skin.
Oxygen in Natura Bissé products comes from adding “stabilized hydrogen peroxide”.
If you have ever cleaned a cut with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) all the fizzing you see after you apply it comes from the release of oxygen (02) leaving just water (H20) behind. The oxygen flows into the air, not back into your skin.
“There’s no scientific evidence that oxygen can penetrate the skin or that it can stay in the product,” said Dr. Bruce Katz, a clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the director of the Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York, told the New York Times.
Dr. Jeffrey Spiegel, a facial plastic surgeon and the director of advanced facial aesthetics in Chestnut Hill, Mass., added that there is no clear evidence that adding oxygen to skin products can improve someone’s appearance.
Sources:
SKIN DEEP. Oxygen Bubbles Into Facial Care Products. The New York Times. Retrieved Jan. 10, 2013.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/fashion/oxygen-bubbles-into-facial-car...
Reading SA, Yeomans M. Oxygen absorption by skin exposed to oxygen supersaturated water. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2012 May;90(5):515-24. doi: 10.1139/y2012-020. Epub 2012 Apr 11.
Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22494481?dopt=Abstract
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Mayoclinic.com. Retrieved Jan. 10, 2013. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/my00829
Supersaturation. Princeton.edu. Page taken from Wikicommons. Retrieved Jan. 10, 2013.
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Supersaturation.html
Michele is an R.N. freelance writer with a special interest in woman’s healthcare and quality of care issues. Other articles by Michele are at www.helium.com/users/487540/show_articles
Edited by Jody Smith