Every once in a while, a skin care ingredient comes along that I am really excited about. That is the case with spin traps, also known as phenyl butyl nitrone. According to Dr. Cheryl Burgess’ Cosmetic Dermatology, spin traps are a ‘new’ form of antioxidant that have the ability to catch an electron as it spins out of control and actually returns it to its normal orbit before it can do any damage. In other words, catching a free radical before it is free to do damage! According to Cosmetic Dermatology, the protective abilities of spin traps comes from their modulation of proinflammatory cytokines.
Spin traps have been shown to prevent free radical induction in the substantia nigra (a portion of the brain) in rats, according to Neuroscience Letters. Numerous studies by Dr. J. Carney and his associates, including this 1996 study in Radiation Research, have shown that phenyl butyl nitrone has anti-inflammatory and age-reducing effects.
If you would like to try spin traps, they are available in the Your Best Face skin care line ($120-160, ybf-skincare.com, pictured above). Although I have not tried the line personally, it features firming peptides like palmitoyl pentapeptide-3 as well as spin traps (phenyl butyl nitrone), so the products should firm the skin, stimulate collagen production, and serve as unique antioxidants in the skin. If you are looking for a nighttime antioxidant treatment that features firming peptides, this may be a good fit for you!