While Vitamin C, retinol and hyaluronic acid hog much of the limelight, there’s another anti-ageing skincare ingredient you should know about – and it goes by the name of ATP. Energising, soothing and revitalising the skin, it’s the powerhouse active found at the heart of EVERY single Dermaenergy product. And it’s there for good reason.
Enhancing the skin’s metabolism and rebooting dull, tired, prematurely ageing skin, ATP is the skincare gift that keeps on giving. Read on for everything you need to know about one of skincare’s quietest, yet highest, achievers.
What is ATP?
Short for Adenosine Triphosphate, ATP is an energy-rich organic molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It is the main carrier of the energy required for countless cellular activities in all living things, and it also plays a pivotal role in intracellular communication1. Stimulating the skin’s metabolism, ATP assists with wrinkle reduction, moisture retention and skin rejuvenation, promoting a smooth, radiant, balanced complexion. It is also valued by skincare formulators for its soothing and protective properties.
ATP reduces signs of ageing and revitalises skin
Youthful, vibrant skin? It’s as easy as ATP. Just as we need energy to work out at the gym or perform well at our job, our skin needs energy too. Specifically, it requires ATP to perform a huge number of different functions, from maintaining hydration levels to producing skin-plumping collagen and elastin, and regenerating cells.
As we age, however, our ATP levels naturally decline. This means the skin has less energy to perform these important tasks, and we therefore see an increase in fine lines, wrinkles and skin laxity, alongside a duller complexion and more irregular skin tone.
Thankfully, by applying ATP to the skin topically, we can restore much needed energy, enhance cellular activity and help to delay, and (up to a point) reverse, these unwanted signs of ageing.
It improves moisture retention
“Essential for maintaining the osmotic equilibrium of the epidermis… [ATP] actively regulates its water balance.2” In other words? ATP helps prevent water loss and helps to keep the skin comfortably plump, hydrated, soft and supple.
ATP soothes the skin
While some active ingredients can cause dryness and irritation for some skin types, ATP is gentle and well tolerated. Suitable for use by all skin types including sensitive skin, ATP has even been found to possess soothing properties. Complementing niacinamide in our anti-redness serum, Calm The Harm, it’s believed to provide anti-inflammatory benefits and support wound healing and tissue repair3.
It boosts the benefits of other active ingredients
While ATP is powerful alone, its superpower lies in compounding the benefits of other anti-ageing ingredients, such as brightening Vitamin C (as in our Solution From Pollution Serum), refining retinol (Refine Over Time), and wrinkle-reducing peptides (Race Against Time). By stimulating the skin and encouraging optimal function, ATP helps actives work harder to ensure results that are fast, but also long lasting.
References
- https://biologydictionary.net/atp/
- Hydractin brochure
- https://thedermreview.com/adenosine/