The 302 molecule is a very light and slightly yellow oil that is derived originally from an avocado cultivar native to Central America. It has been the subject of a number of therapeutic studies incidental to skin. But skin esthetics is a primary interest still given the uncommon affinity it has to promote a positive skin biology.

The 302 Skincare company has a slogan for the molecule: It’s What Made the Avocado Famous and indeed the folklore of the fruit for its effects on the skin likely centers on this molecule not seen anywhere else in Nature.

There are several “big deals” going on here. First off, it is very safe, even for pregnant and nursing moms, unlike say Vitamin A molecules. Second, it is very well tolerated and without the inflammatory infusions that chemical exfoliating brings. Third, the visible results are nothing short of amazing for aged skin and for acne scars, indeed any scars.

The molecule reverses the visible effects of chronologic aging and does so by unwinding and replacing the thin gristle that passes for skin as we reach our dotage.

So called “grandma skin” with its uneven parchment look and feel has become that way in order to protect the vital organs.

When we were babies the skin was more vulnerable, even if the skin cell population was much, much greater than grandma’s. The sheer bulk of the skin protected us and for different races (divided into five worldwide, from a genomic point of view) the skin has different cell densities depending on age. Many Asian and Black skin types show a very high cellular density even into middle age. Whereas certain Caucasian skin types become visibly thinner even at mid-twenties in age.

But by later in life, usually not later than sixty for women, all races have reached a point of obvious skin thinning with blotches and uneven tone and paper like texture very common. That is not to say that many continue to look quite youthful in skin quality even into their seventies.

What has happened is that the epidermis, made up of about eighteen layers deep of cells arranged like a brick wall, has been depleted in the number of layers (like down to nine or ten or fewer) AND the uniform stacks of cells has become jumbled up.

The quality of cells is also a difficulty. Misshapen, fragmented, inefficient in signaling and other metabolic dysfunctions marks the sad state of affairs. This occurs both in the dermis, where blood vessels are, and the epidermis where they are not.

The result is a look that we associate with old. It is not easy to define, but instantly obvious, even if there has been outstanding plastic surgery.

What to do?

Elsewhere in REFERENCE TOPICS you will read the positive effects of Vitamin A in restoring skin architecture, increasing vascularity and building out the number of cells and reversing sun damage. BUT, Vitamin A compounds often are over frequently applied and then the reverse occurs: skin thinning, poor tone, shedding, dryness.

The key is to apply high concentrations of non-charged Vitamin A (retinol) limited to once or twice per week.

This is the first step and usually within a month to six weeks very positive visible reversals are apparent, and often much earlier.

But Vitamin A has limitations. It can easily increase sun sensitivity, is not recommended for pregnant or nursing moms, and taken orally in high doses to combat acne can also lead to kidney damage and other unwanted side effects.

At this point, assuming that Vitamin A has been in use for some time as an “anti-aging” active, it is useful to discontinue it and begin the topical 302 molecule. The combination done in this manner gives a 2 + 2 = 22 visible outcome.

302, unlike Vitamin A, establishes new cells with far greater signaling that in turn results in tissue free of the highly crosslinked gristle that defines aged skin.

This needs explanation.

Cells rise up at the epidermal/dermal junction and knit together in rope like strands that are highly elastic when we are biologically young (and chronologically). As we age, or as a result of trauma, the cells that have been knitted together become overly knitted, or crosslinked. So what was a desirable characteristic becomes an unwanted wad of gristle that displaces the synovial fluid (as in hyaluronic acid).

The excess crosslinks are visible: thin, sagging, poorly toned. This process begins for most of the five races by age 30, in fact, for most races, the game is 50% over at that age.

This is where and when the effects of 302 are most dramatic visibly. Weeding out the gristle and replacing with vibrant new daughter cells is an ideal combination regimen of Vitamin A and 302. However, 302 alone is very effective in visible skin softening and more evident skin turgor and resilience.

Applications of twice per week results in extraordinary reversals in the look of chronologic aging. More frequent applications are NOT useful. Resist the impulse. It is natural to think if a little is good a lot more must be better. But we know from Vitamin A what happens. The same will not happen with 302, there are no comparable side effects, but loss of response from over frequent application is undesirable.

For scars, the same frequency is desirable. Twice per week. Vitamin A to begin, once or twice per week for six weeks and then switch to the 302 molecule. See: 302 DROPS, 302 SERUM, 302 SENSITIVE DROPS, 302 DROPS PLUS, 302 SERUM PLUS.

For scars from acne, especially if ongoing, use REVIVE as cleanser / moisturizer with the 302 molecule.

For an excellent combination of Vitamin A and the 302 molecule, choose SYNERGY DROPS or SYNERGY SERUM. These products, applied twice per week, provide exceptional visible results and are a great value.