When it comes to protection, your skin needs powerful allies. Its two best friends are sunscreen and antioxidants.
Antioxidants and Free Radicals
Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation (reactions promoted by oxygen, or free radicals). Free radicals are unstable molecules with an unpaired electron. They look to bond with other molecules destroying their health and creating new free radicals in the process. Poor nutrition, toxin exposure (pollutants or cigarette smoke) and other factors (for example UV rays) let free radicals wreak havoc in the body. The result: photo-aging of the skin, collagen damage, skin dryness, wrinkles, …
Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and donate their extra electron to neutralize them. Think of preventing an apple slice from turning brown by adding lemon juice.
Antioxidants in Skincare
The skin relies on antioxidants for protection. Antioxidants can be found in certain foods, such as berries, nuts, vegetable and herbs and should be part of every diet.
The application of topical antioxidants will help fight free radicals and increase the antioxidant protective reservoir of the skin. Antioxidants work best as a blend, which is what you find in most skincare products. Vitamin E , Vitamin C , Resveratrol, Retinol , and Green Tea are some that stand out.
While it is tempting to seek out the latest and greatest in skincare, don't disregard these staples of good skincare. There is a reason that you see them popping up everywhere: they work.
The out the blogs on individual Antioxidants such as Retinol, Vitamin C