Our Science

Creatine Ascorbate Safety Studies

Vitamin C (Ascorbate) Activity

Creatine Role in Aging Skin

Mitochondria found within each skin cell store a substance called ADP which is the cell’s energy reserve. A creatine enzyme sits in the mitochondria and mediates energy between the site of energy storage inside the mitochondria and the sites of energy consumption in the cell outside mitochondria. When energy is needed the enzyme converts ADP into another substance, ATP, which is the body’s basic energy source.

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As one ages the sun’s UV radiation and pollutants such as ozone cause mutations of the mitochondrial DNA which results in a reduced capacity to produce ATP, thus, reduced cellular energy potential. The amount of energy stored in cells decreases gradually with age. As a consequence of lowered energy levels, protein synthesis creating collagen, elastin and keratins also decreases with age. With the reduction in the level of ATP produced in the mitochondria comes a weakening of the protective mechanisms of the skin allowing the accumulation of toxins leading to additional stress and exacerbating the aging phenomena. In other words, as the cell’s own ability to produce energy declines, its and ability to produce collagen and maintain cell health also declines.

The theory then behind Nurigene is that enhancing cellular energy production should enhance the cellular self defense mechanism making the cells healthier and healthier cells should age more slowly. The supplementation of creatine increases the cellular energy reserve, thereby increasing the availability of energy, ATP, to help the cells defense in stressful situations. Nurigene enhances the skin cell’s energy production providing protection from the premature aging process.

Creatine Ascorbate Studies

The activity of creatine ascorbate, Nurigene’s key ingredient, was evaluated in seven laboratory studies. These studies were designed to confirm that creatine ascorbate would actually perform as the theory behind the compound suggested and they showed that it:

Increased components necessary for cellular energy
Reduced cell damage from UV light
Increased collagen production
Blocked aging enzymes
Blocked free radical formation
Supplemented sunscreen activity
Reduced pigment formation

Creatine Ascorbate Safety Studies

Creatine ascorbate was evaluated in three different studies to confirm its safety to be used in the Nurigene skincare formulations. One study with 50 individuals found that creatine ascorbate did not sensitize the skin and was not irritating. Two studies, one with 20 individuals and one with 25 demonstrated that creatine did not increase the skin’s potential for sunburn nor any other negative effect from UV light exposure.

Note: All Nurigene products are paraben free and are not animal tested.

Vitamin C (Ascorbate) Activity

Nurigene contains a stabilized form vitamin C which working through different mechanisms than the key ingredient, creatine, helps further reduce the visible signs of skin aging.

Vitamin C serves as the major aqueous phase antioxidant in the skin. It not only neutralizes free radicals destructive to the skin, but also actively regenerates vitamin E which serves to protect all cell membranes from these oxidative insults. Vitamin C both protects against and reduces the harmful effects in the skin from both UVB and UVA radiation. While vitamin C does not absorb UV radiation, thus is not a sunscreen, it exerts its effect by neutralizing free radicals. It does not replace sunscreens but serves as an adjunct to them.

In the skin vitamin C plays a vital role in collagen production, shown to increase collagen synthesis. It has also been shown to increase collagen I and III procollagen messengers. Finally, by reducing the oxidative insult of UV radiation, vitamin C reduces the damage to existing collagen, elastin, proteoglycan, cell membranes and nuclear constituents that over time results in the connective tissue breakdown of visible aging and wrinkles.

As melanogenesis can be driven by free radicals vitamin C, a free radical scavenger, can help reduce undesirable pigmentation.

Nurigene Clinical Trial

A clinical study of Nurigene showed that it not only worked very well but that the study participants also really like the products. A panel of 35 women between 35 and 65 years of age was selected and starting measurements of all study aspects were made. Evaluations of changes to those aspects were then made after 4 and 8 weeks by the clinical staff. All participants kept a daily diary and completed perception questionnaires at the 4 and 8 week intervals. All participants were given all 5 Nurigene products and the regimen for use was explained. At the end of 8 weeks compliance with the regimen was verified. Thirty-three individuals completed the trial with 2 women leaving for reasons unrelated to the study. Significant clinical findings included an increased rate of skin cell turnover up to 43%; increased skin firmness and elasticity up to 27% and improved skin barrier function all relating to smoother and younger looking skin.

The subjects were given questionnaires on their perceptions of Nurigene based on a 7 point scale with the center being a neutral response. Twenty-three product performance questions were asked with positive responses ranging from a low of 68.2% to a high of 97.0% illustrating overwhelming participant acceptance of Nurigene. Questions related to them liking each of the 5 individual Nurigene products resulted in positive ratings ranging from 81.8% to 93.9% reflecting very positively on the formulations.

Nurigene Consumer Trial

In a study of consumers just like you, the Nurigene product regimen was shown to have an 87% positive rating. One hundred twenty-nine women between the ages of 35 and 65 were enrolled and completed this 4 week home use test. None of the women had had any physician or other professional skincare treatment for at least a month. The participants were geographically selected from 3 locations across the country and were divided equally into 3 groups based on having dry/normal/normal to dry skin. All of the participants usually purchased their skincare products at a department store, specialty store or on ‘QVC’. A 28-part questionnaire was administered after 2 and 4 weeks of Nurigene use. Results across the questionnaire were consistently higher in the dry skin group followed by the dry/normal skin group and then the normal skin group. Six questions related directly to the individual Nurigene products with an overall 87% positive rating for the product regimen. 77% said they’d recommend Nurigene to a friend. Twenty product performance attributes were evaluated with positive percentage responses across the board, including an 89% positive response to “feeling moisturized”; 88% on “feeling softer”; and 87% on “feeling smoother”, three of the most important Nurigene attributes.

Before-and-After

Before & After