Our skin is constantly under attack from pollution and sun exposure creating harmful free radicals. Your body can produce antioxidant enzymes neutralizing these free radicals, and melatonin can help. Dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, explained to Elle, "melatonin stimulates your body's natural production of these enzymes." So awesome to hear we can contribute to the protection of our skin! So what is the benefit of using melatonin as a topical agent? Engelman reveals, "The outcome of using a topical melatonin at night is an increase in your natural defenses to fight free radicals caused by UV radiation, stress, and pollution the next day, as well as repair the damage done that day,"(via Allure).
It appears melatonin is having its breakthrough moment. But Kenneth Howe, a dermatologist at Wexler Dermatology warns, "More than other areas of medicine, skin care is subject to trends and fads. Many of these ingredients are mainly exciting simply because they're new; you're usually not missing out if you stick with an ingredient [that works for your skin]" (via Allure).
