Anti-oxidants: Antioxidants play an important role that protects skin against ROS-induced injury. Such antioxidants include Ascorbic acid, ?-tocopherol, ?-carotene, selenium, butylated hydroxytoluene and dietary antioxidants

A growing body of evidence suggets that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by UV radiation, resulting in oxidative damage to cellular components such as mitochondria as well as nuclear DNA damages, which in turn accelerates aging and contributes to skin cancers. The term ROS includes free radicals such as the superoxide anion (O2-) and the hydroxyl radical (OH), as well as nonradical intermediates wuch as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and singlet oxygen (1O2). There is growing evidence that UVA irradiation induces the generation of superoxide anion both in mitochondra and extramitochondrial sites. The O2- is very toxic to tissue and may also result in the generation of ROS of other types

Vitamins and natural compounds

EGCG, a constituent of green tea, has been reported to be a powerful antioxidant protecting skin cells against photodamage.

Vitamin A: has been used as an antagonist to decreased cell growth and elevated collage-degrading matrix metalloproteases while concurrently stimulating collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.

Vitamin B3 (nicotinamide): has been shown to reduce the risk the risk of skin cancer as well as pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratosis. 

Foods which contain good vitamins for the skin

Watermellon: contains vitamins A, B6 and C. Mix 1 tablesppon of watermellon juice with with the same amount of greek yogurt for a great soothing lotion for the skin. Spread over your face and leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. 

Patents and Skin Compounds

3DG Inhibitors: 3-deoxyglucosone (3DG) and other alpha-dicarbonyl sugars associated diseases and disorders are present and produced in the skin. US Patent Application Publication 20050159383 discloses inhibitors agaisnt 3DG. Dynamis Therapeutics is engaged in products for such inhibitors.  

Amiline derivatives: A means to prevent skin deterioration or ageing is to provide compounds scavenging free radicals. EP 0 761 214 for example discloses singlet oxygen quenchers comprising aniline derivative and difufuyl amine derivative, which are reported to reduce the oxidative stress to the skin.

Ascorbic acid: or analogues thereof are disclosed to increase the synthesis of tenascin and/or collagen VII for reinforcing the cohesion at the DEJ (US 2004/0005342).

D-xylene: or esters thereof or oligosaccharides containing D-xylose are disclosed to stimulate the synthesis and/or secretion of proteoglycans and/or glycosaminoglycans by the keratinocytes (US 6495147)

Magnesium aspartate/chloride: is disclosed to promote the adhesion of keratinocytes in the epidermal basal layer in the dermal-epidermal junction (US 6471972).

Meroterpene or meroterpene extract is disclosed to help reduct fine lines and/or wrinkles of skin (US 20090036545A1).

Saponins or sapogenols: particularly those extracted from plants such as soya or Medicago are disclosed for treating the skin in order to increase the amount of collagen IV in the dermanl-epidermal junction.

Ursolic acid and/or oleanolic acid: WO 2002/015869

Yeast: extracts are disclosed to retard the degradation of the dermal-epidermal junction to improve the surface condtiion of the skin (^S 6531132).