If you pick up one thing in Kohl’s Beauty Department, make it All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 ($12.00, Kohl’s.com). The sunscreen brightens the skin with glucosamine, and is one of the cheapest sources of vitamin C & vitamin E (one of my favorite combinations!), firming peptides, and effective sun protection out there. As an added bonus, the product is highly portable, and I love it as a hand cream. To learn more about the research behind the product’s ingredients, read on.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine should help prevent sun spot development, and may decrease the appearance of existing sunspots somewhat. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, glucosamine has been found to inhibit melanin production in the skin by down-regulating melanin gene expression. Although the exact mechanism by which this occurs is not known, it is speculated that glucosamine plays a role in inhibiting enzymatic glycosylation, a required step in converting inactive human pro-tyrosinase to the active tyrosinase (and tyrosinase is a key enzyme in the production of melanin).
Glucosamine in combination with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants may also be somewhat helpful in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. According to a 2001 study in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, glucosamine and antioxidant oral supplements reduced the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by a statistically significant 35% amongst 53 women when taken daily. The exact formulation was not revealed, but contained glucosamine, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, manganese, and quercitin. It was, however, also noted in the study that the oral supplement did not increase skin’s hydration, and only decreased the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Ascorbyl glucoside
Ascorbyl glucoside is a stable form of vitamin C that withstands light, heat, and changes in pH better than its traditionally used L-ascorbic acid counterpart. Although research on ascorbyl glucoside is more limited than L-ascorbic acid, it has been reported to have similar effects and physiology to L-ascorbic acid, as reported in the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis in 2004 and The Journal of Health Science in 2005. Although the concentration of ascorbyl glucoside in the product is not reported, it is definitely a great addition to All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30, particularly for the relatively low cost of the product!
Palmitoyl oligopeptide
Palmitoyl oligopeptide is traditionally found in more expensive creams and some Olay products. Although palmitoyl oligopeptide has been confirmed to be less effective at reducing wrinkles and increasing firmness than Botox, it has been reported to stimulate collagen production and to be chemotactic for fibroblasts (i.e., concentrates fibroblasts in one area). Palmitoyl oligopeptide use should increase the firmness of the skin somewhat over time. I personally like the idea of using peptides in combination with retinol at night and antioxidants and sunscreen during the day.
Overall opinions
I LOVE All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30, because it contains so many beneficial ingredients for a relatively low cost. I personally am carrying it around as a hand cream, and applying it after I wash my hands each time. One caveat: my mother does not like the smell of it, and I think it’s not bad, so you may want to try before you buy. At any rate, if there’s one thing I love from Kohl’s Beauty Department, it’s All Bright Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30!