NaPCA by Twinlab is one of the hottest items in skin care today! NA PCA is a common substance each of us carries on the surface of our skin. Called NaPCA (the sodium salt 2-pyrrolidone-5- carboxylic add), believed to be a major part of our “natural moisturizing factor” and is one of the chemicals that decreases as we age.

NaPCA is manufactured naturally by our bodies or produced synthetically in a laboratory. Both types are derived from glutamic acid, one of the nonessential amino acids occurring in humans and other animals. This modest little chemical, present on our skin’s surface (we are told by scientists it does not appear anywhere else in the body) may be a direct cause of glowing natural beauty, while its decline brings on the deep furrows and inelasticity of age.

Cross-Linking: the link with aging In their best selling book, Life Extension, Durk Pearson and Sandy Shaw tell us that as our bodies grow older, a phenomenon called “cross-linking” begins to occur and accelerate:

“Cross-Linkiñg means our biochemical blueprints (DNA and RNA) give faulty instructions to our cells. [This] can increase the risk of cancer and makes our bodies grow stiff with age.”

Cross-linking occurs when molecules, like those in collagen protein, form chemical bonds with nucleic acids, the blueprints of our bodies. Cross-linking can be caused by a number of things ranging from drinking alcohol and inhaling cigarette smoke (non-smokers beware), to sunlight exposure either indoors or out, no matter what the season.

That’s one major reason why cosmetics with PABA, an effective sunblock, are so important. This B-vitamin derivative helps slow the progression of cross- linking caused by sunlight.

Collagen and elastin fibers, which give the skin strength and elasticity when they are young and filled with moisture, become brittle due to the water loss. They begin to form cross- links in the skin’s supporting layer, the dermis. Soon breakage of these important fibers becomes commonplace and wrinkles are just a step away.

One of the primary preventors of this important cause of aging is .the presence of NaPCA. It seems that the ability of the skin to hold moisture is directly related to its level of this natural humectant. (A humectant is any substance which attracts moisture from its environment.) As the level of NaPCA decreases with age, the moisture content of the skin begins to drop.

There is a way to offer NaPCA to your skin even if your body has slowed its“natural moisturizing factor” production schedule. Many companies are beginning to market synthetically derived NaPCA to help with the body’s inability to produce this humectant.

Since the water-attracting abilities of synthetic NaPCA is twice as much as propylene glycol and six times that of sorbitol, two of the beauty industry’s most popular humectants, it would seem to be a significant advancement in the area of skin care.

NaPCA is low in allergic responses (about the same as water) and causes no adverse reaction from use in the sun (photosensitization), it just might be the answer to dry, aging skin it might also be the answer to dry, brittle hair, since NaPCA does the same water-attracting performance On hair shafts According to one expert, NaPCA works wonders on plants, like ferns, which need all the moisture they can get to keep looking their green,. healthy best.

NaPCA is a water-soluble substance, light enough for any skin to use. It is not an oil, and therefore will not clog pores or interfere with the skin’s eliminative metabolism. Used in a two to ten percent solution, NaPCA keeps hydrating surface cells for as long as it is on the skin. A solution containing NaPCA is an ideal.-makeup base and can be worn day and night to get the continual benefits of this important humectant.