Have you ever wondered why your skin ages more quickly than it should? It’s because exposure to UV rays, pollutants, and even stress increases the production of damaging molecules—free radicals.
Let's learn what free radicals are and how to minimise the damage caused by them.
Understanding Free Radicals: What Are The Damages Caused By Free Radicals
In the bustling world of skincare, it’s crucial to understand the concept of free radicals and their impact on our skin. Free radicals are notorious for their ability to oxidise healthy cells, causing them to degrade and lose their vitality.
These erratic molecules damage your complexion since outside elements like pollution and UV light produce them. According to studies by Dahmane et al. (2012), free radicals steal electrons from healthy skin cells like vandals. This oxidative stress disrupts the building blocks of youthful skin, collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and uneven tone.
To combat this, incorporating antioxidants into your skincare routine is essential.
How To Combat Free Radicals: The Role Of An Antioxidant
Antioxidants are like superheroes for your skin. They neutralise free radicals, preventing them from causing further harm. Vitamins C and E and compounds like green tea extract and niacinamide are potent antioxidants commonly found in skincare products. They work by donating electrons to stabilise free radicals, effectively stopping their damaging chain reaction.
Incorporating Antioxidants In Your Diet
Free radicals can cause severe damage to your skin, and antioxidants are among the greatest fighters, but you have some in your kitchen. These potent compounds, found in all fruits, vegetables, and some drinks, will protect your skin from premature ageing.
Harvard School of Public Health’s Nutrition Source highlights that Foods includes hundreds of these inbuilt superheroes. Some examples of these foods are whole grains like brown rice and quinoa, fruits like berries and citrus fruits, and vegetables like carrots, spinach, and peppers. Nuts and seeds like almonds, chia, and flax, as well as legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and occasionally a square of dark chocolate or a cup of green tea, are rich in antioxidants. These are the natural defences your body has in place to lessen the likelihood that these harmful free radicals can harm any cells in your body.
Incorporating Antioxidants In Your Skincare Routine
To remove dirt and impurities, use a cleanser to remove dirt, oil and other pollutants that clog and damage the skin. After cleansing, apply a few drops of your chosen face serum on your face and neck. Follow it up with a moisturiser to seal the moisture.
The market's top face serums that address skin issues and enhance radiance in the skin are listed below:
|
Face serum |
Benefits |
Suitable for |
Tea Tree Oil Serum |
An antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated skin and protect against free radical damage. |
Oily, acne-prone skin due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. |
Vitamin C 8% Serum |
A potent antioxidant that brightens the complexion, boosts collagen production and protects against environmental damage. |
Dull, uneven skin tone and those seeking a brighter complexion. |
Retinol 2.5% Serum |
While retinol is primarily known for its anti-aging properties, it also possesses antioxidant benefits that help protect the skin from further damage. |
Mature skin with concerns about wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. |
Niacinamide 5% Serum |
An antioxidant that helps strengthen the skin's barrier, reduce inflammation, and improve uneven skin tone. |
Oily, acne-prone, and combination skin due to its oil-regulating and pore-minimizing properties. |
Shield your skin with an SPF
Antioxidants are your powerful allies when it comes to ageing, and sunscreen is your shield. This one acts as a shield against UVA and UVB rays, which are harmful to the skin and cause collagen and elastin to break down. Your regular broad-spectrum sunscreen application combined with an antioxidant serum gives you a very powerful defence against sun damage and skin ageing.
In A Nut Shell
Daily exposure to the sun and other pollutants increases the production of free radicals, the primary cause of premature aging. To combat them, use antioxidants, which are present in colourful foods, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and green tea. Finish with a skincare routine that may include an antioxidant serum. Of course, wearing sunscreen is always the best defence against UV rays. To get naturally glowing skin, take extra care of your skin from the inside out.
Visit Beautenic’s store to get the face serums best suited for your skin type.