How Do Free Radicals Affect The Skin?

What are free radicals?

Simply put, free radicals are unstable atoms. When cells use oxygen to generate energy, free radicals are created. They can be useful for our body because they enhance the immune system and improve intercellular communication.

However, excessive amounts of free radicals can lead to oxidative stress as our body only has so many lines of defence to fight against them.

They end up bonding to other molecules in the body, causing proteins and other essential molecules to not function as they should.

What causes free radicals?

They can be formed from normal cellular functions but can also be caused by diet, exercise, stress, smoking, alcohol, UV exposure and air pollution.

Some health conditions that create inflammation in the body can also lead to an increase in excess free radicals.

How do free radicals affect the skin?

Free radical damage can be a major component in skin ageing. They can lead to the oxidation of our skin's DNA, which can speed along the skin ageing process.

Skin can become dull and lacklustre, and in longer term this can lead to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, resulting in more fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Other effects include uneven skin tone, impaired skin repair processes, and unwanted pigmentation such as age spots.

What Fights Free Radicals?

The good news is that there are lots of ways to combat a surplus of free radicals.

The human body has several mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress by producing free radical scavengers known as antioxidants which are either naturally produced, or externally supplied through foods and/or supplements.

How Do Antioxidants Fight Free Radicals?

Antioxidants work by neutralising free radicals. They block their destructive effects by making them neutral and therefore stopping them from wrecking our cells.

And to give nature a helping hand, you can supplement the natural production of these neutralising molecules by applying antioxidants directly on the skin.

FaceGym's Youth Reformer Serum's unique oil-in-serum formula reidentifies skin with a complex of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, reducing visible signs of skin ageing, improving the skin's moisture content and cell rejuvenation.

Antioxidants Beauty Benefits

Some of the beauty benefits you can expect to see by upping your antioxidants game include significantly increased skin health, improved turnover of skin cells, and an increase in healthy cells, all of which will result in more vibrant, smooth, plump and glowing skin.

Now you know why beauty professionals are such big fans of antioxidants!

So, if you want to enjoy more of their beauty benefits and start seeing the results for yourself, see how you can boost your antioxidants level, both in your diet and via the topical antioxidants in your daily skincare routine.

Ingredients That Neutralise Free Radicals

Vitamin C and Vitamin E are by far the most well-known antioxidants, though a diet rich in natural and healthful vitamins and minerals will naturally support your body's ability to produce antioxidants and protect itself from free radicals and DNA damage.

Other alternative ingredients are Liquorice root extract, Rosemary extract and Astaxanthin, derived from algae and antioxidant peptides.

Foods such as broccoli, apricots and cherries are also great at helping to reduce free radicals in the body naturally. Many of these also include that beauty powerhouse Vitamin C, as well as other minerals and micronutrients that your skin will love.

Other popular options cited for their active ingredients and potent antioxidants benefit are green tea and dark chocolate.

As a health-boosting double-whammy, many of these are also cited for their anti-inflammatory properties that can combat premature ageing and reduce the damaging effects of sun exposure, cigarette smoke, and other toxins and pollutants that affect skin or cause negative effects of free radical damage.