Basic Introduction to Free Radicals and Antioxidants
Free Radicals.
We hear this a lot in skin care circles.
But what the heck are they? The first time I heard the term, political revolutionaries came to mind: Viva la Revolucion ...
The dictionary definition doesn't help either.
Because these free radicals are so reactive, they can adversely affect our skin structures.
They reduce the skin's firmness and elasticity, and rapidly accelerate the aging process.
Wrinkles, sagging and other signs of aging appear prematurely.
Free Radicals and Antioxidants So where do these damaging free radicals come from? Free radicals are produced by our bodily cells naturally, as a byproduct of necessary biochemical reactions.
So there's nothing we can do about this.
Free radical formation can also be increased through excessive sunlight, pollution, stress and especially smoking.
This is why smokers age quickly.
Have no fear though ...
this is where antioxidants come in.
Antioxidants are naturally produced by our bodies too, and are supplemented by certain foods we eat, and by skin care products with antioxidant ingredients.
Antioxidants fight free radicals by preventing them from harmfully reacting with our cells.
Antioxidants also reduce free radical production in our bodies.
Even though antioxidants are our natural antidote to free radicals, our antioxidant levels decrease as we get older.
When free radicals overtake antioxidant levels, this leads to the normal signs of aging.
External Sources of Antioxidants
A basic introduction to Free Radicals and Antioxidants
We hear this a lot in skin care circles.
But what the heck are they? The first time I heard the term, political revolutionaries came to mind: Viva la Revolucion ...
The dictionary definition doesn't help either.
Free Radical: an especially reactive atom or group of atoms that has one or more unpaired electronsWhat does this have to do with skin care? Well, the free radicals that we have to worry about are the reactive oxygen species.
Because these free radicals are so reactive, they can adversely affect our skin structures.
They reduce the skin's firmness and elasticity, and rapidly accelerate the aging process.
Wrinkles, sagging and other signs of aging appear prematurely.
Free Radicals and Antioxidants So where do these damaging free radicals come from? Free radicals are produced by our bodily cells naturally, as a byproduct of necessary biochemical reactions.
So there's nothing we can do about this.
Free radical formation can also be increased through excessive sunlight, pollution, stress and especially smoking.
This is why smokers age quickly.
Have no fear though ...
this is where antioxidants come in.
Antioxidants are naturally produced by our bodies too, and are supplemented by certain foods we eat, and by skin care products with antioxidant ingredients.
Antioxidants fight free radicals by preventing them from harmfully reacting with our cells.
Antioxidants also reduce free radical production in our bodies.
Even though antioxidants are our natural antidote to free radicals, our antioxidant levels decrease as we get older.
When free radicals overtake antioxidant levels, this leads to the normal signs of aging.
External Sources of Antioxidants
- Vitamins A, C and E
- Fruits and vegetables
- Green tea
- Nutritional supplements
- Topical skin care products
A basic introduction to Free Radicals and Antioxidants
