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Discover Why Our New SPF Outperforms the Rest

Discover Why Our New SPF Outperforms the Rest
The science is clear: protecting your skin from sun damage is the single best way to prevent premature skin aging. But with thousands of sunscreens on the market, conflicting advice on social media, and even occasional FDA warnings, it can be tricky to figure out which sunscreen will actually work for you. Ready to clear up the confusion? Discover why our new SPF, OS-01 SHIELD, outperforms other sunscreens by not just preventing–but also reversing–UV aging. Along the way, we’ll explore the science behind sun protection and demystify which ingredients work best to fight sun damage.
The science is clear: protecting your skin from sun damage is the single best way to prevent premature skin aging. But with thousands of sunscreens on the market, conflicting advice on social media, and even occasional FDA warnings, it can be tricky to figure out which sunscreen will actually work for you. Ready to clear up the confusion? Discover why our new SPF, OS-01 SHIELD, outperforms other sunscreens by not just preventing–but also reversing–UV aging. Along the way, we’ll explore the science behind sun protection and demystify which ingredients work best to fight sun damage.
01

OS-01 SHIELD prevents UV-induced skin damage with Non-nano Zinc Oxide

Let’s start with the part of choosing a sunscreen that leaves most people confused: UV filters. We formulated OS-01 SHIELD with zinc oxide, our preferred mineral filter. We opted for non-nano zinc oxide, because current data suggests it lowest risk of health effects and the maximum broad spectrum protection compared to other chemical and mineral alternatives. [1] Zinc oxide has been used for centuries in areas such as wound healing and is even used for diaper rashes. [2] Plus, the non-nano form is large enough to prevent it from entering the bloodstream. [3]

Zinc oxide is gentler than common chemical filters

Unlike chemical UV filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone, zinc oxide starts working right away and is gentle on even the most sensitive skin, which means you don’t have to worry about stinging or redness. By creating a physical shield on the surface of the skin, mineral filters deflect some UV radiation away from the skin and absorb the rest. We prefer this to chemical filters, which are small enough to absorb into skin and convert UV radiation to heat.
01

OS-01 SHIELD prevents UV-induced skin damage with Non-nano Zinc Oxide

Let’s start with the part of choosing a sunscreen that leaves most people confused: UV filters. We formulated OS-01 SHIELD with zinc oxide, our preferred mineral filter. We opted for non-nano zinc oxide, because current data suggests it lowest risk of health effects and the maximum broad spectrum protection compared to other chemical and mineral alternatives. [1] Zinc oxide has been used for centuries in areas such as wound healing and is even used for diaper rashes. [2] Plus, the non-nano form is large enough to prevent it from entering the bloodstream. [3]

Zinc oxide is gentler than common chemical filters

Unlike chemical UV filters like oxybenzone and avobenzone, zinc oxide starts working right away and is gentle on even the most sensitive skin, which means you don’t have to worry about stinging or redness. By creating a physical shield on the surface of the skin, mineral filters deflect some UV radiation away from the skin and absorb the rest. We prefer this to chemical filters, which are small enough to absorb into skin and convert UV radiation to heat.

Zinc oxide provides more comprehensive protection than titanium dioxide

There are two main types of mineral filters: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. While both offer some broad spectrum sun protection, titanium dioxide may be less effective at blocking UVA [1], the wavelength that affects the deeper layers of the skin and causes most long-term sun damage. Zinc oxide provides more comprehensive protection–effectively shielding your skin from both aging UVA and sunburn-causing UVB rays.Additionally, some studies have found that titanium dioxide present high oxidation rates on skin, which produces harmful free radicals, especially in the nanoparticle form. [1,4] It should be noted, however, that oxidation rates are ultimately dependent on particle size and overall formulation.

Zinc oxide provides more comprehensive protection than titanium dioxide

There are two main types of mineral filters: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. While both offer some broad spectrum sun protection, titanium dioxide may be less effective at blocking UVA [1], the wavelength that affects the deeper layers of the skin and causes most long-term sun damage. Zinc oxide provides more comprehensive protection–effectively shielding your skin from both aging UVA and sunburn-causing UVB rays.Additionally, some studies have found that titanium dioxide present high oxidation rates on skin, which produces harmful free radicals, especially in the nanoparticle form. [1,4] It should be noted, however, that oxidation rates are ultimately dependent on particle size and overall formulation.
02

OS-01 SHIELD protects against damage with antioxidants

UV filters aren’t the only piece in the sun protection puzzle. Antioxidants, molecules that prevent oxidation, can also protect your skin from the tissue-damaging effects of UV radiation. That’s why we included five super-antioxidants in OS-01 SHIELD.

Antioxidants neutralize damaging free radicals

UV exposure leads to the production of free radicals, unstable molecules that are missing an electron. Like hungry scavengers, free radicals try to steal electrons from other molecules–kickstarting a process called oxidation, which alters cell membranes, proteins, lipids and DNA. As molecules with an extra electron, antioxidants prevent oxidation and resulting tissue damage by donating their spare electron to hungry free radicals. When used in combination with SPF, antioxidants help provide an extra layer of protection against sun damage.
02

OS-01 SHIELD protects against damage with antioxidants

UV filters aren’t the only piece in the sun protection puzzle. Antioxidants, molecules that prevent oxidation, can also protect your skin from the tissue-damaging effects of UV radiation. That’s why we included five super-antioxidants in OS-01 SHIELD.

Antioxidants neutralize damaging free radicals

UV exposure leads to the production of free radicals, unstable molecules that are missing an electron. Like hungry scavengers, free radicals try to steal electrons from other molecules–kickstarting a process called oxidation, which alters cell membranes, proteins, lipids and DNA. As molecules with an extra electron, antioxidants prevent oxidation and resulting tissue damage by donating their spare electron to hungry free radicals. When used in combination with SPF, antioxidants help provide an extra layer of protection against sun damage.

OS-01 SHIELD neutralizes free radicals 4x better than leading SPFs

So how well does our formula neutralize free radicals? Like everything else, our scientists put this question to the test in the lab. Utilizing a chemical probe with a stable radical that changes color when that radical is neutralized, we found that OS-01 SHIELD neutralizes free radicals at least 4x more effectively than leading anti-aging SPFs. [5]

OS-01 SHIELD neutralizes free radicals 4x better than leading SPFs

So how well does our formula neutralize free radicals? Like everything else, our scientists put this question to the test in the lab. Utilizing a chemical probe with a stable radical that changes color when that radical is neutralized, we found that OS-01 SHIELD neutralizes free radicals at least 4x more effectively than leading anti-aging SPFs. [5]
Utilizing a chemical probe with a stable radical that changes colors when that radical is scavenged, levels of free radical scavenging were measured for various leading SPFs and OS-01 SHIELD.
Utilizing a chemical probe with a stable radical that changes colors when that radical is scavenged, levels of free radical scavenging were measured for various leading SPFs and OS-01 SHIELD.
03

OS-01 SHIELD hits the β€œundo” button on UV-induced aging with OS-01

When we formulated OS-01 SHIELD, we set out to create a new kind of SPF that doesn’t just protect against new sun exposure, but also reverses UV-induced aging that’s already occurred. UV damage adds up over a lifetime and most of us have already accumulated our fair share. In fact, up to 90% of the signs of aging you see on your face are actually the result of sun exposure. That’s because, on the cellular level, UV exposure causes cells to prematurely enter senescence, the end stage in a cell’s life. A central hallmark of skin aging, cellular senescence is the accumulation of aged, zombie cells that induce aging in neighboring cells, accelerating the aging process and resulting in impaired skin regeneration and chronic inflammation.While UV filters and antioxidants help prevent this damage from occurring in the first place, they can’t undo the UV-induced aging that’s already occurred. That’s where OS-01 comes in. Our breakthrough peptide has been scientifically proven to reverse the skin’s biological age. [5,6]

OS-01 reduces skin’s biological age

The majority of skin aging is caused by sun damage. By reversing skin’s biological age, OS-01 has been proven to help undo this aging and restore healthier skin. [5,6,7] Using MolClock, OneSkin’s proprietary skin-specific molecular clock to quantify skin’s biological age, we saw a decrease of 2.6 biological years in ex vivo skin treated with the OS-01 peptide over 5 days. [5,6]
03

OS-01 SHIELD hits the β€œundo” button on UV-induced aging with OS-01

When we formulated OS-01 SHIELD, we set out to create a new kind of SPF that doesn’t just protect against new sun exposure, but also reverses UV-induced aging that’s already occurred. UV damage adds up over a lifetime and most of us have already accumulated our fair share. In fact, up to 90% of the signs of aging you see on your face are actually the result of sun exposure. That’s because, on the cellular level, UV exposure causes cells to prematurely enter senescence, the end stage in a cell’s life. A central hallmark of skin aging, cellular senescence is the accumulation of aged, zombie cells that induce aging in neighboring cells, accelerating the aging process and resulting in impaired skin regeneration and chronic inflammation.While UV filters and antioxidants help prevent this damage from occurring in the first place, they can’t undo the UV-induced aging that’s already occurred. That’s where OS-01 comes in. Our breakthrough peptide has been scientifically proven to reverse the skin’s biological age. [5,6]

OS-01 reduces skin’s biological age

The majority of skin aging is caused by sun damage. By reversing skin’s biological age, OS-01 has been proven to help undo this aging and restore healthier skin. [5,6,7] Using MolClock, OneSkin’s proprietary skin-specific molecular clock to quantify skin’s biological age, we saw a decrease of 2.6 biological years in ex vivo skin treated with the OS-01 peptide over 5 days. [5,6]
DNA methylation age of ex vivo human skin samples (79yr) treated with 12.5uM peptide for 5 days calculated using the Skin-Specific DNA Methylation Clock, MolClok (Zonari, et al., npj Aging, 2023)
To confirm these results, we put OS-01 to the test with a number of other molecular clocks, and measured it in a head-to-head battle with another longevity molecule, rapamycin. Again, OS-01 not only reduced skin’s biological age but also outperformed rapamycin. [5,6]
DNA methylation age of ex vivo human skin samples (79yr) treated with 12.5uM peptide for 5 days calculated using the Skin-Specific DNA Methylation Clock, MolClok (Zonari, et al., npj Aging, 2023)
To confirm these results, we put OS-01 to the test with a number of other molecular clocks, and measured it in a head-to-head battle with another longevity molecule, rapamycin. Again, OS-01 not only reduced skin’s biological age but also outperformed rapamycin. [5,6]
Ex vivo skin samples (79 yo) maintained in basal media (NT), or treated with 100 nM Rapamycin (Rapa), or 12.5 Β΅M OS-01 peptide for 5 days. Predicted DNA age according to Horvath Clock (Clk 1), Hannum Clock (Clk 2), Lin Clock (Clk 3)Horvath Skin & Blood Clock (Clk 4), PhenoAge Clock (Clk 5) and OneSkin’s MolClock (Clk 6). (Zonari, et al., npj Aging, 2023)
This data shows that OS-01 effectively reverses environmental aging that’s already occurred–giving you the chance to hit the undo button on all those years of accelarated skin aging from unprotected sun exposure.
Ex vivo skin samples (79 yo) maintained in basal media (NT), or treated with 100 nM Rapamycin (Rapa), or 12.5 Β΅M OS-01 peptide for 5 days. Predicted DNA age according to Horvath Clock (Clk 1), Hannum Clock (Clk 2), Lin Clock (Clk 3)Horvath Skin & Blood Clock (Clk 4), PhenoAge Clock (Clk 5) and OneSkin’s MolClock (Clk 6). (Zonari, et al., npj Aging, 2023)
This data shows that OS-01 effectively reverses environmental aging that’s already occurred–giving you the chance to hit the undo button on all those years of accelarated skin aging from unprotected sun exposure.

OS-01 prevents skin cells from UVB-induced cellular senescence

In addition to reversing UV aging that’s already occurred, OS-01 actually prevents skin cells from falling into senescence when they are exposed to UVB radiation. In lab studies, our scientists exposed in vitro human skin cells to UVB radiation, then immediately treated them with the OS-01 peptide. The skin that was immediately treated with the OS-01 peptide showed 42.5% less UV-induced senescent cells than the skin that was not treated with OS-01. [5,6]

OS-01 prevents skin cells from UVB-induced cellular senescence

In addition to reversing UV aging that’s already occurred, OS-01 actually prevents skin cells from falling into senescence when they are exposed to UVB radiation. In lab studies, our scientists exposed in vitro human skin cells to UVB radiation, then immediately treated them with the OS-01 peptide. The skin that was immediately treated with the OS-01 peptide showed 42.5% less UV-induced senescent cells than the skin that was not treated with OS-01. [5,6]
In vitro human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) isolated from 30 yo donors were exposed to UVB radiation (0.1J/cm^2) then immediately treated with the OS-01 peptide (12.5uM) and stained with senescence-associated beta galactosidase (SA-Bgal). Senescence levels were analyzed by counting the number of UVB-induced senescent cells. Data normalized to control. (Zonari, et al., npj Aging, 2023)
This data shows that the OS-01 peptide offers the skin yet another layer of protection against UV-induced aging.
In vitro human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) isolated from 30 yo donors were exposed to UVB radiation (0.1J/cm^2) then immediately treated with the OS-01 peptide (12.5uM) and stained with senescence-associated beta galactosidase (SA-Bgal). Senescence levels were analyzed by counting the number of UVB-induced senescent cells. Data normalized to control. (Zonari, et al., npj Aging, 2023)
This data shows that the OS-01 peptide offers the skin yet another layer of protection against UV-induced aging.
04

Give your skin the best protection with OS-01 SHIELD

Unlike other sunscreens, OS-01 SHIELD offers not just one, but three layers of protection from UV aging in the form of zinc oxide, powerful antioxidants, and the OS-01 peptide. This means that our peptide sunscreen works harder to keep your skin safe from the aging effects of sun exposure. Plus, thanks to the power of OS-01, our SPF may reduce the signs of aging that are already occurring from sun exposure– helping your skin look, feel, and behave like younger skin for longer.
04

Give your skin the best protection with OS-01 SHIELD

Unlike other sunscreens, OS-01 SHIELD offers not just one, but three layers of protection from UV aging in the form of zinc oxide, powerful antioxidants, and the OS-01 peptide. This means that our peptide sunscreen works harder to keep your skin safe from the aging effects of sun exposure. Plus, thanks to the power of OS-01, our SPF may reduce the signs of aging that are already occurring from sun exposure– helping your skin look, feel, and behave like younger skin for longer.
Key Takeaways:
  • Our new SPF, OS-01 SHIELD, not only protects against UV rays with Zinc Oxide, but may actually reverse UV-induced aging that’s already occurred with a powerful trifecta of ingredients.
  • Formulated with mineral zinc oxide, OS-01 SHIELD provides broad spectrum UV protection that’s gentle enough for even sensitive skin.
  • Packed with a high concentration of five antioxidants, OS-01 SHIELD neutralizes UV-induced free radicals better than other leading sunscreens.
  • By reversing existing UV-induced skin aging, our proprietary OS-01 peptide reduces skin’s biological age AND protects against new signs of UV aging.
Key Takeaways:
  • Our new SPF, OS-01 SHIELD, not only protects against UV rays with Zinc Oxide, but may actually reverse UV-induced aging that’s already occurred with a powerful trifecta of ingredients.
  • Formulated with mineral zinc oxide, OS-01 SHIELD provides broad spectrum UV protection that’s gentle enough for even sensitive skin.
  • Packed with a high concentration of five antioxidants, OS-01 SHIELD neutralizes UV-induced free radicals better than other leading sunscreens.
  • By reversing existing UV-induced skin aging, our proprietary OS-01 peptide reduces skin’s biological age AND protects against new signs of UV aging.

Last Updated February 26, 2025

Reviewed by

Alessandra Zonari

Alessandra Zonari

PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of OneSkin

Alessandra earned her Master’s degree in stem cell biology, and her PhD in skin regeneration and tissue engineering at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil in collaboration with the 3B’s Research Group in Portugal. Alessandra did a second post-doctoral at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. She is a co-inventor of three patents and has published 20 peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals.